A WORCESTERSHIRE nature reserve has brand new picnic benches thanks to the Tesco Bags of Help scheme, writes Tom Martin.
The £2,000 grant was provided to the Worcestershire Wildlife Trust (WWT) for its Lower Smite Farm reserve from the fund which is generated from the 5p plastic carrier bag levy.
Tesco teamed up with Birmingham based charity Groundwork to launch the Bags of Help drive and the award to the WWT was decided by shoppers voting in local Tesco stores.
The replacement benches will be used by visiting schoolchildren and families at Lower Smite Farm’s outdoor education centre.
Marissa Ryland, the Worcestershire Wildlife Trust’s engagement officer, said: “This is fantastic news and we’d like to say thank you to all of Tesco’s shoppers that voted for us.”
Lower Smite Farm welcomes schools from across the county, has a monthly children’s club and hosts family events and activities throughout the year to encourage children to explore the countryside.
Lindsey Crompton, Tesco’s Head of Community, said: “Bags of Help has been a fantastic success.
“We’ve been overwhelmed by the response of our customers and it’s been great to give people a say on how the money will be spent in their community. We can’t wait to see the projects come to life.”
Since launching in 2015, Bags of Help has awarded more than £25 million across more than 3,000 local projects.
