[T]ransPennine Express (TPE) in partnership with the Forestry Commission is to donate £5,000 to The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) Haweswater to fund the planting of 2,000 trees along a 1,500m stretch of Swindale Beck in the Lake District.
Community and environmental projects across the North of England and Scotland were invited to apply for grants of up to £5,000 as part of the TPE Transform fund and the lucky recipients have now been confirmed.
Volunteers will take charge of planting the new woodland corridor which will create a new habitat for wildlife, improve the river water quality and enhance the visual appeal of this wild and beautiful valley.
The money will also be used to provide new fencing which will protect the young saplings (from being trampled by people and animals). Once matured, the trees will provide shade to the fish including salmon and trout as well as creating new homes for rare woodland birds and red squirrels.
Julia del Nevo, Senior Fundraising Officer from RSPB Haweswater said: “We are delighted to be offered a grant from the TransPennine Express Transform Fund. The money will enable us to plant 2,000 trees along Swindale Beck in the Lake District, creating important new habitats for wildlife.”
Iain Peacock, Environment Manager for TransPennine Express commented: “I want to thank everyone that took the time to submit an application and it’s fair to say the standard of submissions was extremely high.
“I’m delighted that so many projects across our local communities are going to benefit from the Transform fund and along with the Forestry Commission, we are really looking forward to seeing how each applicant benefits from our support.”
12 projects in total across the North and Scotland will share in £50,000 worth of Transform funding with the competition taking place on an annual basis.
The scheme is open to community groups, clubs, schools, charities and anyone who allows open access to their land.
Applications were judged by colleagues from TPE and the Forestry Commission with success factors including environmental improvements, impact on the local community and action to reduce social exclusion and youth unemployment, as well as overall positive environmental impact and proximity to the routes the train company serves.
