Who will fund TV's Timelord museum idea? Crowdfunding campaign for Dr Who museum

Historian and writer David Howe moved to Sleaford two years ago and professes to watching the Timelord’s antics from behind the sofa since the age of six in the 1960s.

Since the 1970s, the 55-year-old has been an avid collector of the TV series merchandise, magazines, costumes, artwork and props and now holds arguably the biggest collection of merchandise and memorabilia of the show in the world. His dream now is to display and share his collection in a private museum and is looking to raise about £30,000 towards his goal, with the help of some TV celebrity endorsement.

David has published more than 30 titles on the show and worked with Jon Pertwee on his autobiography ‘I Am The Doctor!’.

He said: “If you contribute to this campaign, you allow me to achieve this dream. It will also mean that all of these magnificent pieces can be shared with other people instead of being packed away in boxes and file cabinets.”

David managed to find and buy a 3,360 sq ft business unit two years ago, moving from North Wales to the countryside just outside Sleaford to help make his vision a reality.

“The plan was always to adapt the building, and make it a suitable home for the collection,” he said.

Unfortunately David unexpectedly suffered a major heart attack in May 2015, which meant that he was unable to do his IT job for several months, and since then work has been hard to find. So of course, with no income, work and plans on the museum ground to a halt.

David said: “Without the finances to finish this project, I may never see my collection displayed in the way I always wanted. I think this would be a terrible shame. I want people to see it. I want to share it. I also want to be able to see my lifelong ambition become a reality.”

He then came up with the idea of fundraising to make it a reality.

They have raised £2,000 in just the first two days. Visit the Indiegogo crowdfunding site for more details at: www.indiegogo.com/projects/the-doctor-who-merchandise-museum#/

The museum would be open by prior arrangement for tours, viewings and open days, for groups, school trips and anyone interested.

David said: “We are aiming for an opening in the summer of 2018 with a web page for people to book. Entry would be by donation only.”

Commenting on his collection he said: “It is an amazing treasure trove. A celebration of merchandise – all the old toys, figures, games, books, DVDs, jigsaws and clothing. We even have the original Doctor Who underpants produced by Marks and Spencer in the 1980s with Tom Baker’s face on them – they are meant for nine-year-olds, not grown-ups!”

For varying sizes of donations people will receive a variety of ‘perks’ ranging from a ‘shout out’ by David and his wife, the novelist, Sam Stone, to free visits, credits displayed in the museum, books and special dinner parties.

David has also enlisted the help of friend and actor Frazer Hines, who played the Doctor’s helper Jamie in the show who will join a donor for a private dinner, while another friend, Chase Masterson, who was a regular character in Star Trek Deep Space Nine is offering two opportunities to have lunch with her in Los Angeles during the major Doctor Who convention – Gallifrey.