Haslemere Museum was lucky for the third time when it won a top national award last week at a glittering London ceremony hosted by TV vicar Rev Richard Coles.

The educational centre beat off stiff competition in the 2018 Museums and Heritage Awards for Excellence to be judged ‘Fundraising Initiative of the Year’ for its Museum in a Million campaign.

This year’s honour is the third win for the museum at the awards since 2012.

A staggering £1.3million had been donated by November 2017 to the vital campaign to secure the long-term future of the museum.

The appeal was launched in February 2013 in its 125th anniversary year.

The annual awards, now celebrating their 16th year, are regarded as the Oscars of the museum and heritage world and recognise projects of excellence, innovative and ground-breaking initiatives from galleries and visitor attractions across the UK and overseas.

They range from remarkable achievements by national institutions to projects crafted with limited resources, and those championing their staff and volunteers, who work hard to deliver inspiring experiences.

The awards are judged by a panel of leading lights including, Diane Lees, director general of the Imperial War Museums and Bernard Donoghue, director of the Association of Leading Visitor Attractions.

Haslemere was shortlisted with four other organisations for the award and one of the other hopefuls was near neighbour the Watts Gallery – Artists’ Village at Compton.

The Museum in a Million campaign was supported by individual donations and bequests by benefactors, as well as a wide range of fundraising events, including talks, demonstrations, tennis, golf, afternoon tea and bridge, a classic car day, branded goods and auctions.

The names of all those who have contributed thas been recorded in a leather-bound benefactors’ book, which will be treasured as a landmark in the museum’s history.

In the final year of fundraising, the museum had gone well over its target, thanks to the generosity of its many supporters, staff and volunteers.

The vital fund income will now help towards its day-to-day running costs and safeguard the museum for future generations.

Museum chairman Melanie Odell, said: “We are honoured to have won this prestigious award.

“It is a fantastic achievement for a hugely successful campaign. Our efforts have been recognised in our 130th anniversary year.”