Cumbrian primary school receives donation to support beach clean

Haverigg Primary School has received a welcome boost to their beach clean-up efforts, thanks to a donation from United Utilities’ Community Fund.

The school, based in Cumbria, was presented with brand-new equipment to help continue their vital clean-up work, whilst also receiving fieldwork tools to help the students learn more about protecting water quality and their local beach.

Pupils and teachers from Haverigg Primary School met with River Rangers from the North West’s water company as they handed over the equipment and undertook a beach clean on Haverigg Beach. The donation from United Utilities provided the school with a range of equipment such as gloves, litter pickers, and water-testing kits. 

Haverigg Primary School is on a mission to becoming more sustainable, actively doing all they can to address climate change through a range of curricular and extra-curricular activities. The school community enjoys spending time outdoors, particularly at their local beach.

With the help of The United Utilities Better Rivers Better North West Community Fund, the donation will help Haverigg Primary School continue its efforts to becoming more eco-friendly; helping them understand more about local waterways, whilst also helping to keep Haverigg Beach free from litter. The beach is enjoyed by many in the community, and the school is extremely passionate about maintaining the area, due to the coastline being home to endangered nesting birds and other wildlife.  

Andrew Knowles, Teacher at Haverigg Primary School comments: “We want to say a massive thank you to United Utilities for all their help and patience in providing us with the tools we needed. I am looking forward to putting the equipment to good use with all the teachers and students this year.

Andrew continues: “The children are so enthused about keeping the beach clean and show great understanding of how a litter-free coastline can benefit the wildlife, too. We are lucky to have the beach and clean water on our doorstep and we hope that with our clean-up efforts, the children will learn to take ownership of these spaces, ensuring they’ll be safe, tidy and clean for years to come.”  

Adele Dismore, Area Engagement Lead at United Utilities, commented: “The school is extremely passionate about what they do and it’s encouraging to see that the teachers and students doing all they can to maintain their local beaches, woodlands, ponds and rivers. We live in such a beautiful area and it’s great to see that the teachers of Haverigg Primary are sharing this with the younger generations. I hope that with this donation, the school can continue its admirable efforts!”

The United Utilities’ Community Fund supports community groups whose activities:

• Benefit local watercourses and riverside environments
• Act as catalyst for improved community and environmental wellbeing
• Reconnect communities to riverside environments
• Promote sustainable drainage

Groups can apply to the fund for up to £2,500 worth of support by emailing  Stakeholderrelations@uuplc.co.uk with details of their request.