The Whitby Gazette has raised more than £199,000 in 14 weeks to save the town’s historic 199 steps.

The newspaper launched an appeal asking readers to sponsor the grade one listed steps which lead up to St Mary’s Church for £1,000 each.

The steps were in danger of being closed to the public because they are wearing away.

The Gazette led the way by sponsoring step number 150 to mark its 150th anniversary.

Editor Damian Holmes said it had been a fantastic achievement, with all the community getting behind the scheme.

And he singled out trainee reporter Marie Levy who co-ordinated the appeal.

He said: “Marie has only been with us eight months, and she ran this fantastically successful appeal virtually single-handedly. She did a great job.”

Editor Damian Holmes, reporter Marie Levy,
fund-raiser Nova Newlyn and church warden
John Hemson celebrate the appeal success

The Gazette’s office was inundated with calls when the paper ran an article announcing that there were only 18 steps left.

Steps have been named after local families and businesses, in memory of loved ones and to mark anniversaries. One was even named after Nell The Sheep Dog.

Appeal organiser Nova Newlyn said: “Thank you to the Whitby Gazette for supporting the appeal in such a wonderful way.”

The success of the campaign was also featured on local television and radio.

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