One of Highgate’s most loved historic houses is the subject of an appeal to the community to help raise �500,000 to secure its future.

Grade II-listed Lauderdale House in Waterlow Park has been a landmark on Highgate’s skyline since Elizabethan times and now is a thriving arts and education centre welcoming thousands of visitors every year.

But the charity which runs it needs to raise the cash by the end of October for its ambitious renovation programme to go ahead. Without that, its programme of activities cannot be sustained.

General manager Katherine Ives said: “It is a lot of money but we think the value of what we offer is more than worth it. We hope that other people will recognise that and we have a very good record of eventually achieving what we put our minds to.

“We’re part of the community and at this point we need the help of our community more than ever. We’re hoping that as many people will help us in whatever way they can. What we do does make a difference to people’s lives and if we weren’t here the history and heritage will disappear.”

The full total needed to fund Lauderdale Transformed – a major project to overhaul run-down areas of the house to create modern facilities – is �2million.

A state-of-the-art glass-fronted workshop with views across Waterlow Park is planned, replacing a dowdy studio currently hosting adult classes and workshops for 400 school children per year.

But to win a �500,000 grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund, Lauderdale needs to find the same amount again to match it.

As well as pursuing high-rollers, it is appealing for smaller donations and organisers hope fundraising volunteers will get involved too. For more information on the project see www.lauderdalehouse.co.uk

Donations can be made in person, by cheque, bank transfer, or by buying “notional tickets” to Lauderdale Transformed: The Big Build, a fictional event on the website.