WUF “Freshwater Friends” Fundraising Appeal

Environmental charity, the Wye & Usk Foundation, has launched an appeal to give local children the chance to learn about the importance of rivers and their environment. Starting on Wednesday, 5^th June to coincide with World Environment Day, the “Freshwater Friends” appeal’s target is to raise £15,000 so that 3,000 schoolchildren in the Wye and Usk area can learn about the creatures that live in their local rivers and about the natural world.

Freshwater Friends was launched with an event in Abergavenny last week, on the banks of the river Usk. Pupils from Llanfoist Fawr Primary School attended, discovering what lives in the river there and why clean water is so important to them.

Colette Mooney, the Wye & Usk Foundation’s Head of Education, said: “When children engage with the natural world in this way, it can change the way they look at their surroundings, seeing the value and importance of their environment, both locally and globally.” She added: “Unfortunately, many children do not have the opportunity to explore and experience the natural environment. We are appealing to everyone to help them and our rivers today by donating to our Freshwater Friends appeal!”

Simon Evans, the Foundation’s Executive Director, commented: “There has never been a more important time for all of us to do what we can to help protect our precious planet.

We want all the schoolchildren in the Wye and Usk area to have their own first hand encounters with the natural world. They are the future protectors of rivers and the wider environment. The more of them that are enthused at an early age the better. We must inspire them to take positive, personal action for its benefit. A donation of just £5 will fund a child’s place while £100 will enable a whole class to take part.”

Anyone wanting to donate to this appeal can do so via the Wye & Usk Foundation’s website (www.wyeuskfoundation.org/freshwater-friends) or by contacting them on 01874 711714.

For more details about the Freshwater Friends Appeal, please contact Colette Mooney, Head of Education, Wye & Usk Foundation. 01874 711714 or 07741 637607. colette@wyeuskfoundation.org