SUNDERLAND Museum has been given a £10,000 boost by some of its best friends.
The museum has been closed since April 1999 for redevelopment work.
When it re-opens later this year, it will have eight new galleries, improved visitor facilities and a new glazed entrance in Burdon Road.
The scheme is being carried out alongside the building of the Winter Gardens nearby. The original gardens were destroyed in the Second World War.
The Friends of Sunderland Museums have launched their Museums Guardians scheme to attract donations, and held fundraising events.
Friends' chairwoman Sybil Reeder said: "The money we have raised is contributing towards improving access to the museum, which includes installing lifts to all levels of the building, and the new entrance, which will be at ground level."
Museum senior curator Neil Sinclair said: "The support of the friends has been tremendous."
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