Like everybody else, we were stopped in our tracks when we were forced to close due to the coronavirus pandemic. Yet, unlike many other cultural organisations that receive ongoing funding from the government, the Charles Dickens Museum is an independent charity, conceived as self-funding from the start, 95 years ago. This means we must earn every penny we need to look after Dickenss house and the world-class collection that brings Dickens and his work to life. We rely on our visitors coming through the Doughty Street front door to ensure that the Museum continues to exist. We are appealing to all admirers of Dickens and lovers of the Museum to consider donating now. We need to raise £30,000 each month to cover the basic costs of looking after Dickenss house and the collection it holds. Your generosity will help to ensure that the door of 48 Doughty Street (and yes its his original door) will be able to swing open again to welcome visitors back to Dickenss home.