Royal Isle of Wight Agricultural Society secures CLA Charitable Trust funding to help run education day
Hundreds of schoolchildren on the Island set to benefit from day of alpacas, bushcraft and challenges
The Royal Isle of Wight Agricultural Society has been awarded £1,000 from the CLA Charitable Trust (CLACT) to help run its popular education day for Island schoolchildren.
The trust is funded almost entirely by subscriptions and donations from members of the CLA, an organisation which represents thousands of farmers, landowners and rural businesses.
It provides grants to charities and community organisations who share its vision to help connect young people who are disabled or disadvantaged with the countryside and nature.
The Royal Isle of Wight Agricultural Society is among the groups to successfully apply for funding in the most recent round of awards, receiving £1,000.
On 23 May around 400 children from 14 Island primary schools will visit the County Showground for an educational day. It starts the build up to the County Show – which this year will be held on 8 and 9 July – and the grant money will be used to help run it.
A spokesman for the society said: “We are very grateful to the CLA Charitable Trust for their support, and everyone who helps to make this such a fantastic day for the children.
“The various areas of the County Show will be represented, with experts on hand to engage with the children about aspects of country life in a fun and informative way. From ponies to piglets, calves to goats and not to forget the llamas and alpacas.
“The children are encouraged to interact with the animals and ask lots of questions. As if that is not enough, we will also have sports challenges, bushcraft in the woodland area and the ever-popular tractor and trailer ride, plus a vintage tractor to clamber over.”
Bridget Biddell, Chairman of CLACT, said: “The CLACT is pleased to be able to help with funding an education day for 400 primary school children from the Isle of Wight.
“It is so important for children to actively participate in all aspects of farming and land management to learn and understand, and this is what the day with its many volunteers will enable.”
Since its foundation in 1980, the trust has given £2m in grants to a wide variety of organisations and projects. If you would like to know more about applying for funding, or to donate, visit https://www.cla.org.uk/about-cla/charitable-trust/
For more information about the CLA and its work, visit www.cla.org.uk/your-area/south-east/regional-news and follow @CLASouthEast on Twitter.
