Member Article

First for Trust thanks to £25,000 cash boost

Northumberland Wildlife Trust is delighted to confirm that players of People’s Postcode Lottery have awarded it an additional £25,000 in funding.

Players of People’s Postcode Lottery have now awarded an amazing £58.6 million to charities and good causes since the lottery’s launch in 2008 and the support from players has made a massive difference to hundreds of communities with funding awarded to numerous grass route groups and local projects as well as national and international charities. The extra funding has allowed the wildlife charity, which campaigns for wildlife and manages over 60 nature reserves in Northumberland, Newcastle and North Tyneside, to appoint its first ever, full- time Community and Events Officer. Cathleen Thomas who hails from Washington, Tyne and Wear, has returned to her roots to help protect British wildlife. Following completion of her A Levels at Newcastle College, Cathleen undertook a BSc (Hons) Degree in Biology at Durham University, an MSc in Ecology at Bangor University, a PhD in Evolution and Ecology of Ladybirds at Hull University and a PGCert in Education from the Open University. Cathleen has worked in conservation for many years through both voluntary and paid positions, including Education Assistant at Welsh Mountain Zoo, Education Officer at Edinburgh Zoo and has organised many wildlife events on behalf of the Royal Entomological Society.

Prior to starting at the Trust, Cathleen provided support and training for postgraduates in the Biology Department at Newcastle University and is continuing to collaborate with them to conduct research on slugs.

With the funding, the wildlife charity is now able to roll out a programme of wildlife-themed events across Northumberland, coordinated by Cathleen, which include practical conservation, species identification and surveying, wildlife photography and drawing, and family fun days with arts and crafts and hands on activities.

Speaking about her appointment and the additional funding, Cathleen said: “This extra funding from players of People’s Postcode Lottery is wonderful for the Trust but also for me as I now have a job doing what I love, so please keep playing and helping me reach out to the next generation of conservationists. It will be their job in the future to conserve our wildlife so we need to educate and inspire them now.”

The news was announced at People’s Postcode Lottery’s annual Charity Gala held in Edinburgh on Wednesday 28th January. Over £3 million in additional funding for supported charities was announced at the Gala. Dame Kelly Holmes joined 300 guests to celebrate the impact that players of People’s Postcode Lottery have on charities and good causes.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Sue Bishop .