Published 06 Mar 2025
Newcastle’s Discovery Museum is launching a fundraising appeal to raise the final £10,000 to complete its new space for under 5s and the appeal has already been given a helpful boost by Newcastle based electric train service, Lumo.
Lumo, North East Museums’ Early Years partner, has pledged to match every £1 donated to the appeal – doubling the impact of each donation.
Following grants from the Sir James Knott Trust, the Catherine Cookson Charitable Trust and the Wolfson Foundation, development of the new ‘Tiny Tyneside’ space at Discovery Museum is already underway but there is still the final £10,000 needed to fully fund the costs of the project.
When complete it will be a free, fun, safe place for young children to play and learn and follow the themes of the museum including transport, engineering, inventions, and bridges adapted for young visitors to enjoy.
Thomas Elwick, Learning Officer at Discovery Museum, said:
“Research shows that access to play and exploration has a positive impact on the development of young children’s memories, problem-solving, communication and motor skills.
“We’ve developed Tiny Tyneside with this research in mind to create a fun space but also one where our youngest visitors can start to explore the themes of the museum.
“We’re very grateful to our funders and also to Lumo for generously agreeing to match fund our appeal and to be North East Museum’s Early Years partner.”
Martijn Gilbert, Managing Director at Lumo, said:
“At Lumo, we are passionate about connecting people and communities, and that starts from the very earliest years. Tiny Tyneside is a fantastic initiative that will provide a fun, safe, and educational space for young children to explore themes like transport, engineering, and innovation; all key to our region’s proud heritage. As the region's leader in green travel, we're delighted to support this project and to double the impact of donations, helping to ensure that future generations can learn, play, and be inspired.”
The Tiny Tyneside fundraising appeal will be run via the Big Give’s match funding platform from 11-25 March. Find out more and donate here.
Lumo, North East Museums’ Early Years partner, has pledged to match every £1 donated to the appeal – doubling the impact of each donation.
Following grants from the Sir James Knott Trust, the Catherine Cookson Charitable Trust and the Wolfson Foundation, development of the new ‘Tiny Tyneside’ space at Discovery Museum is already underway but there is still the final £10,000 needed to fully fund the costs of the project.
When complete it will be a free, fun, safe place for young children to play and learn and follow the themes of the museum including transport, engineering, inventions, and bridges adapted for young visitors to enjoy.
Thomas Elwick, Learning Officer at Discovery Museum, said:
“Research shows that access to play and exploration has a positive impact on the development of young children’s memories, problem-solving, communication and motor skills.
“We’ve developed Tiny Tyneside with this research in mind to create a fun space but also one where our youngest visitors can start to explore the themes of the museum.
“We’re very grateful to our funders and also to Lumo for generously agreeing to match fund our appeal and to be North East Museum’s Early Years partner.”
Martijn Gilbert, Managing Director at Lumo, said:
“At Lumo, we are passionate about connecting people and communities, and that starts from the very earliest years. Tiny Tyneside is a fantastic initiative that will provide a fun, safe, and educational space for young children to explore themes like transport, engineering, and innovation; all key to our region’s proud heritage. As the region's leader in green travel, we're delighted to support this project and to double the impact of donations, helping to ensure that future generations can learn, play, and be inspired.”
The Tiny Tyneside fundraising appeal will be run via the Big Give’s match funding platform from 11-25 March. Find out more and donate here.