Stubbins Residents’ Association received donation from United Utilities

Stubbins Residents’ Association has received a welcome boost to their conservation efforts, thanks to a donation from United Utilities’ Community Fund.

The group, based in Lancashire, is run by volunteers who are committed to improving their village, local green spaces and waterways through regular litter picking sessions.

The group also works to remove Himalayan Balsam from the banks of the River Irwell - an important task, which aims to eliminate invasive plant species to improve river health and biodiversity.

The group is set to remove even more Balsam from the local waterways this spring, and so enlisted the help of United Utilities, to provide them with a donation that would ensure all volunteers are well equipped to carry out their important work safely and efficiently.

Volunteers met with River Rangers from the North West’s water company as they handed over the equipment. The donation consisted of PPE, rakes and sheers, so that the volunteers can continue with their vital conservation work.

Heather Dodd, from Stubbins Residents Association, comments: “Stubbins Residents Association have been very fortunate to receive a donation of tools from United Utilities. We have created a new gardening group where these tools will be an invaluable asset for our volunteers.

We have lots of projects planned for the spring and summer, with clearing, planting, and a river clean in our area of Stubbins, Strongstry and Chatterton, already on the agenda.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank United Utilities for this very generous gift.”

Iain Pilling, Area Engagement Lead for Lancashire at United Utilities, commented: “The Stubbins Residents Association is clearly extremely passionate about what they do and it’s encouraging to see the volunteers doing all they can to maintain and improve their village and the surrounding water ways - we’re really pleased to have been able to support the group with their ongoing efforts. Working in partnership with local community groups like this is integral to the important work we do as part of our efforts to clean up rivers across the region.”

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.