Appeal launched as Edward Jenner museum 'at risk'

The charity which runs the home and museum of the Gloucestershire scientist and father of vaccination Dr Edward Jenner is appealing for financial support.

Dr Jenner’s house in Berkeley is where he carried out pioneering research which eventually led to the creation of the world’s first vaccination against diseases and eradicated smallpox.

His ground-breaking research is being used centuries later to help find a coronavirus vaccine.

The house is now used as a museum to celebrate Dr Jenner’s achievements, but the charity which manages it says it needs money to get it through to next year.

The coronavirus pandemic has meant the home’s doors have been closed to visitors, and any length of closure puts the museum “at risk”, the charity said, adding the loss of a whole year of visitor income “could prove catastrophic”.

According to the charity’s crowdfunding page, it costs £206 per day to keep Dr Jenner’s house, museum and garden operational, and is asking for help to raise £34,940 to “see out the current circumstances” and eventually re-open.

As of 1pm today (May 1), nearly £10,000 had been raised, and to donate please follow this link: : https://crowdfunder.co.uk/drjennershouse.

The page said: “We do not know how long we will need to remain closed for, but every passing day without income puts the museum’s future at risk and means we have to spend more time raising vital funds rather than communicating Jenner’s remarkable story.

“We hope that we may be eligible for some government grants, the details of which are still unclear, and we are also applying for emergency funding in competitive processes where the outcome is not guaranteed.

“We need to act now to secure our future, so we are asking you to consider supporting us through the next year.

“We know that times are hard for everyone at the moment, but we want to provide a beacon of hope through these uncertain circumstances.”

Scientists in the Edward Jenner Institute, in Oxford, are currently using Dr Jenner’s work to “bring an end” to the current coronavirus pandemic.

Writing on Facebook, Stroud MP Siobhan Baillie said: “We are regularly hearing about the Jenner Institute in Oxford and ministers are talking about Edward Jenner, the Gloucestershire scientist responsible for the world’s first vaccine. He continues to be an inspiration to researchers and is regularly cited by the experts seeking to bring an end to the current pandemic.

“It always fills me with pride that Jenner’s came from Berkeley and his memory is preserved there at Dr Jenner’s House, Museum and Garden – the independent museum set in Jenner’s former home.

“Dr Jenner’s House team have launched a crowdfunding campaign to help it survive the next twelve months.

“They would be very grateful if you can support them through these difficult times.

“Now more than ever, the team understandably want to ensure they are in a position to tell the story of the country doctor from Gloucestershire and humanity’s triumph over disease.

“Dr Jenner’s house is an important part of our local tourism attractions too.

“After we beat coronavirus – we want Dr Jenner’s story to form part of the the country’s fight back and bring people to the area to learn about him.”