Fundraiser launched after trees stolen from local primary school

A fundraiser has been launched after a number of trees were stolen from a primary school.

Emily Bannister hopes to raise £3,000 to protect the forest school space at Castleton Primary School, where her child is a pupil.

She is aiming to set up a secure fence around the space after around 70 saplings were stolen. The trees were newly planted by pupils at the school after being donated by City of Trees as part of the school’s ‘forest school program’, which increases pupils’ confidence and self-esteem through hands-on learning experiences in woodland or a natural environment with trees.

City of Trees is a movement that aims to plant one tree for every resident in Greater Manchester and bring 2,000 hectares of abandoned woodland back into community use.

Ms Bannister said: “I was absolutely appalled that anyone would do this.

“I really wanted to do something that can help so I have set up this fundraiser, with the permission of the school, in order to raise enough funds to build a secure fence around the area they would like to use.

“Schools are having their funds slashed left, right and centre so it's up to us to help ensure our children get a safe outside environment in which to learn about nature and the importance of taking care of it.”

She added: “Obviously this is a vast amount of money we're asking for, but if even just a small amount of Castleton residents donated £1 each we could smash this target. If we don't hit the target, then the funds will still be used for improving the forest school in other ways.”

To donate, visit:

https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/castletonforestschool