Ashington pupils working hard to improve reserve

Posted by The Journal on Feb 4, 10 09:17 AM in School news

School pupils carrying out work at a Northumberland nature reserve got a surprise when they received more than ÃÂ£150,000.

Students from Ashington Community High School went along to Hauxley nature reserve with Alex Lister, Northumberland Wildlife Trust's estates officer - but they got a lot more than they bargained for on the trip.

Left to right: Chay Park, Tony Hall (Ashington Community High School), James Short, Shaun Smith, Judie McCourt (PPL), Alex Lister (Northumberland Wildlife Trust), Sam Alderson, Jamie Skelsey and David Brack

From left: Chay Park, Tony Hall (Ashington Community High School), James Short, Shaun Smith, Judie McCourt (PPL), Alex Lister (Northumberland Wildlife Trust), Sam Alderson, Jamie Skelsey and David Brack

People's Postcode Lottery street prize presenter Judie McCourt had donned her union jack wellies and travelled to the reserve to present a huge cheque to Alex - who gladly received it on behalf of the wildlife charity.

The cheque for ÃÂ£153,892 for Northumberland Wildlife Trust represents the amount players of the Postcode Lottery have raised for the charity to date.

Joined by Ashington High School teacher Tony Hall, Judie and the group of pupils then got stuck in to an afternoon of hard work rebuilding and replacing fencing across the site.

The pupils, who are from Year 11 at Ashington High School, have been visiting to the reserve to help with essential maintenance for more than a year and will gain an ABC qualification from this work, in addition to gaining experience in working outdoors. The project is highly popular, with a 100% attendance rate whatever the weather.

Judie was really impressed with the young people and said: "The boys clearly love the work they do on the reserve for the wildlife charity and really do throw themselves into their tasks.

"At a time when young people often receive criticism, it's fantastic to see their enthusiasm and their dedication in ensuring this beautiful nature reserves stays that way."

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