Member Article

Dobbies names new charity partner

Summers’ soundtrack of humming bees, insects and more is set to make pupils’ playlists as The Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts (RSWT) is voted Dobbies’ 150th anniversary national charity partner.

School children up and down the UK, including this Region, will have an opportunity to explore and discover nature, from bees and butterflies to frogs and flowers, as their school grounds are transformed into wildlife-friendly areas.

RSWT, one of three finalists, won a public vote to become Dobbies’ latest charity partner as part of the retailer’s 150th anniversary celebrations.

Dobbies’ UK fundraising target of £50,000 will help to bring wildlife into school grounds up and down the UK by creating habitat for wildlife and places where children can explore, play and get close to nature as well as providing advice and activities.

Wildlife gardening activity booklets, titled ‘My Wild Garden’, have been created to help families make wildlife part of their gardens, no matter how big or small their outdoor space, and will be available at Dobbies from the bank holiday at the end of May.

The booklet, which will be available from Dobbies in Ponteland for a suggested donation of £1, offers tips and tricks to make our gardens into wildlife havens, including species to look out for and monthly activities to undertake - from setting up nectar cafés to planting night-scented plants and more.

Andy King, Managing Director at Dobbies, said: “We knew we wanted to team up with a charity which celebrates our values - getting people outside enjoying their gardens, so we were delighted with the outcome of our online public vote. The Wildlife Trusts is a great cause and if we can support them to educate children about nature in fun and exciting ways and encourage families to be wildlife-friendly, as a company we’d be very proud.”

Mike Pratt, Northumberland Wildlife Trust Chief Executive, said: “Dobbies in Ponteland is in our area, so we are really delighted that our partnership with them will help to encourage schools and people in our Region, to embrace wildlife-friendly gardening and provide a little space for nature on their doorstep.

“For many of us, the sound of bees buzzing amongst the flowers, smelling daisies or following snail trails are amongst our first impressions of nature, and, more often than not, it’s from within our own backyard that these memories are created and our love of nature begins. Wildlife gardening can be a great way to bring colour and life into a garden … so go on, give it a go.”

Dobbies, Ponteland, will be hosting a Summer Garden Party, to celebrate 150 years of gardening, on Thursday 18 June between 5pm - 9pm.

Tickets cost just £1 with all funds raised being donated to the Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts. Drinks and canapés will be on offer alongside barbecue cooking demonstrations, garden inspiration and outdoor games for ideas and advice for making the most out of this summer.

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