A Green Party parliamentary candidate for Lewisham is hoping to raise funds for his election campaign by crowd funding.

Tom Chance, Green Party parliamentary candidate for Lewisham West and Penge, has raised over £500 in one day for his campaign and is now hoping to raise a further £1,000.

Mr Chance's project is hosted by Crowdfunder.co.uk, where people ask for donations from members of the public for their own projects.

"I'm really grateful to those who helped me raise my deposit within a day.

"I think it shows just how many people care about the issues I want to raise in this election campaign - saving Sedgehill School and Crystal Palace Park, stopping speculators driving up our house prices and rents, bringing our railways back into public ownership, and reducing pollution and dangerous traffic onto our streets.

"These just wont be talked about if there is no Green in the race. Even if I don't get elected, I will ask every candidate at every public meeting to pledge to save Sedgehill School."

The £500 raised by the Crowd Funding Campaign will pay for Mr Chance's deposit to stand for the role at Parliament and if the campaign raises a further £1,000, he has pledged to use the funds to pay for a leafleting campaign which will reach every door in his constituency.

There are scales of rewards for people who pledge certain amounts of money, for example, the three people who have pledged £100 to the campaign will receive a Green Party umbrella (RRP £12), a personal thank you note from Mr Chance and an invitation plus guests to a celebration party in May.

Mr Chance added: "I haven't planned the party yet, I've been too busy getting my campaign off the ground! But if I'm overwhelmed with supporters we'll just have to find a bigger venue."

To view Mr Chance's campaign page visit http://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/a-green-mp-for-lewisham-west-and-penge/?