Could you support Tree Action and Durrington Infant and Junior Schools?
TreeAction CIC, a Sussex based non for profit that funds and organises tree planting projects in schools and communities, is currently fundraising for an orchard of 20 fruit trees that will be planted at Durrington Infant and Junior school over the next six months.
The project will be TreeActions 8th school project in Sussex where it has fundraised for over 90% of the cost of the project, and they are now looking to raise £5000 for the Durrington Primary project, with all donations being matched by Aviva Community fund.
The planting itself would involve the students who will also be caring for those trees and harvesting the fruit for years to come.
Durrington Infant and Junior support a considerable number of vulnerable and disadvantaged pupils and their families. They have a food bank supporting up to 50 families each month, offering breakfast to pupils, and each Friday make surplus food available to families who cannot always provide fresh fruit to their children. Fruit from the orchard would also be offered mid-morning snacks to any pupils.
The varieties we will order will likely include pear, plum and cherry trees and the project will help the school to address an educational vacuum through hands on tree care and fruit picking as part of the curriculum.
Above: Some of the young eco-team and year 3 cohort at the school who will be involved in planting looking after the trees. Some are school councilors as well so represent their class.
TreeAction CIC Director Ricky Purnell said “ We’re looking to support environmental education in schools with more trees, especially when the school do not have the time and resources to organise major projects like this. The young students are our future eco ambassadors, and giving them responsibility for caring for trees can support their outdoor learning “
The school's nursery children will pay visits to begin understanding nature from early on adopting a tree as part of their "Well-being Wednesday" and lessons including cooking and understanding where food comes from would use this. A range of children will be involved from nursery up to year 6, so this will be a whole school project.
More information on the project and crowdfunding campaign can be found here – https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/treeaction---more-tree-projects-for-schools
They are also always on the lookout for volunteers. - www.treeactionuk.org.
