Help Andy & Candie’s future with a B&B in Maine
Fundraising campaign by
Andrew Watson
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£300.00raised of £10,000.00 goal goal
Campaign Story
Hello. Thank you for reading our story
A Brief History
Candie and I were born in different countries. Candie is American and I am British. We met 15 years ago when she came over as an exchange student at my local college. 12 years later, we reconnected through social media, realised we're both different people from when we were younger and fell in love.
Over the past few years, we have struggled to find a future together. Mainly, which country we could both be allowed to live in. At one point we wanted to both live in the UK, but due to the Non-EEA immigration system, this would be impossible unless I either earned £18,600 after tax, or I had £95,000 in savings in the bank. This would only allow Candie to enter the UK for three years and then we would have to reapply. The uncertainty with this didn't make us both feel there is a future for us in the UK. We planned to quietly get married in January 2017, but we changed our minds after we decided for a full on wedding. This is an aim for 2017 or 2018.
The Bed and Breakfast
Candie's elderly grandmother owns a property in Old Orchard Beach, ME and has offered to sign the deeds over to us after we get married. Her grandmother would love for the place to be converted from a residential property to a rentable Bed and Breakfast or lodging house for short breaks. The property is in need of repair and we would have to pass a health inspection before a licence can be issued to us. Her grandmother does not have a lot of money and has had a number of bad contractors which has made a bad situation worse. We would love to convert the property to realise Candie's grandmothers dream whilst she is still with us.
Potential business
After doing a lot of research in the area for the need for the Bed and Breakfast, I found that there is a high demand for more in the area. The main tourists are French Canadians which drive from Quebec and surrounding cities.
Old Orchard Beach is a seasonal town and can get very busy in the summer periods between Memorial Day & Labor Day, which is around a 12 - 13 week period (3 months). If we tap into the market, we could potentially have the property rented out 45 - 65% during this period in the first year of trading.
We also plan to open up the place for winter stays to bring in extra income as Old Orchard Beach gets some amazing snow in winter.
Donations
The donations we receive will go towards inspectors, contractors, decor and other construction payments to help get the house up to scratch. We plan to keep a record of everything that is spent so other can be inspired about our dream. We are also using our own savings and earnings to go towards the property, although our own income doesn't stretch that far currently.
Please help which ever way you can to help us find our dream. Every penny will help us. Thank you.
Stay tuned for more updates as we progress this project.
Rewards
Organizer
- Andrew Watson
- Campaign Owner
Donors
- Anonymous
- Donated on Jul 27, 2017
Go for it Andy. I just want somewhere to stay for free!!!
- Marc Hall
- Donated on Jul 27, 2017
Moving Forwards
Update posted by Andrew Watson at 06:55 pmWith winter moving closer, I decided to help with getting some protective paint down since the basement has never been treated.Thanks to Candie's grandmother, she bought the paint, just "Handy Andy" here had to do the painting, lol. Luckily I found a couple of dry days to get a few. . . . .
Thanks for the support!
Update posted by Andrew Watson at 05:06 pmSo over the last month or so, we've started working on a plan for the coming couple of years. I'm flying over in October for 29 days to see Candie and to start a plan moving forward on the US side of things. We plan to start applying for my. . . . .
Donors & Comments
- Grace Cooper-Hall
- Donated on Sep 11, 2017
You helped me during my time of need so least I can do is help you guys out even if it's a small amount. Wish it could be more, all the best xo
- Anonymous
- Donated on Jul 27, 2017
Go for it Andy. I just want somewhere to stay for free!!!
- Marc Hall
- Donated on Jul 27, 2017
- Carla Ramos
- Donated on Jul 26, 2017
Wishing you all the best! Stay focused & positive - you will reach your goal ❤️
- James Morey
- Donated on Jul 26, 2017
- Ryan Briggs
- Donated on Jul 26, 2017
From someone who would love to pack up and head across the pond, i wish you both all the best. I hope everything goes well :).
- Sharon Knight
- Donated on Mar 15, 2017
Everyone deserves to be able to live their life with the people they love. I hope from the bottom of my heart that you will both get that.
- Lynn Sanders
- Donated on Mar 14, 2017
- James Morey
- Donated on Mar 14, 2017
You helped me during my time of need so least I can do is help you guys out even if it's a small amount. Wish it could be more, all the best xo