Durham Wildlife Trust, based in North West Durham, is among a handful of the UK’s most progressive and impactful charitable projects that have just been awarded a funding boost from the ScottishPower Foundation and will be receiving £90,831 from them.
As part of ScottishPower Foundation’s tenth anniversary celebrations, nineteen charities across England, Scotland and Wales have been awarded funding totalling almost £1.2 million for projects tackling a range of issues, from raising awareness of the climate and biodiversity crises to addressing skills and attainment gaps in society.
For 50 years Durham Wildlife Trust has been a leading conservation organisation in our local area. It plays a vital role in protecting and conserving the spectacular wildlife we have right on our doorstep to ensure it is as impressive for generations to come.
Through the Cuthbert Moor Restoration project, the Durham Wildlife Trust is aiming to restore the peat and bog habitats to realise the true ecological and environmental potential of this beautiful northern English landscape. The support from the Foundation will specifically help to fund the recruitment of a dedicated Cuthbert Moor Management Officer as the project undertakes extensive baseline surveys while engaging with the local community and establishing volunteering opportunities.
Commenting, Richard Holden MP said:
“One of the things I love most about living here in North West Durham is the access to, and abundance of, nature all around us. Within a short walk you can be entirely immersed in nature.
“Far too often, people do not realise the work that goes on behind the scenes at places like Durham Wildlife Trust to ensure our pristine natural surroundings are protected and conserved for future generations. Rather like a duck swimming, you cannot see the legs paddling away hard.
“Having done lots of work myself on helping to protect our invaluable and ecologically significant peat bogs, both on the ground and raising it in Parliament, I know how important the work this money will fund is. I am delighted that Durham Wildlife Trust has received this well-deserved money and look forward to enjoying the benefits it will no-doubt entail.”
Commenting, ScottishPower Foundation’s Executive Officer and Trustee, Melanie Hill, said:
“This is an incredibly exciting year for us at the ScottishPower Foundation as we’re celebrating our tenth anniversary and the award of over £1.2 million to charitable initiatives across the UK.
“We’re proud to support Durham Wildlife Trust’s Cuthbert Moor Restoration project, as one of the Foundation’s main aims is to contribute to the protection and conservation of habitats and the environment.”