Colliers Launches, which runs the tourist ferry service along the Thames and is threatened with closure because of COVID-19, has completed its crowdfunding campaign and hopes to stay afloat and relaunch its fleet later in the summer.

In a twitter message the company announced:"You're amazing, thank you so much for your love and support throughout our crowdfunding campaign. We made 66% of our target, we're humbled and grateful to everyone."

Their campaign raised nearly £17.000 out of a targeted £25.000 in just 43 days after announcing its shutdown and issuing a MAYDAY call to try to stop the company from sinking. During the year the fleet would expect to carry over 60.000 passengers along the River Thames.

Their fleet of launches are a familiar and uplifting sight on the river and over the summer months thousands of passengers enjoy a trip between Westminster, Kew Gardens, Richmond and Hampton Court Palace.

One of their vessels, Princess Freda, attracts particular attention because of its role as a war time hero contributing to Churchill's call to evacuate stranded soldiers off the beaches of Dunkirk. Many people enjoy the nostalgia of taking a relaxing trip on this historic boat.

The family business, run by brothers John and Danny Collier, since 1975 did not qualify for initial government funding support but local MP Munira Wilson has intervened to ensure river-based businesses are eligible for the new small business 'top-up scheme.'

Danny Collier told Teddington Nub News: "We are all finished with the crowdfunding and with a few private donations on top we have raised just shy of 75% of our funding. We are now exploring other grants which have become available. Social distancing remains the big problem. We can pay our bills in the medium term but if we cannot get back on the river, there is no income - it's as simple as that."

Watch the thank you video from Colliers

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Check the website for Colliers Launches