Making a difference this Christmas
Thursday 24th November 2016
Leaping hares Christmas card
With the festive season almost upon us, local conservation charity Worcestershire Wildlife Trust is hoping that readers will really make a difference this Christmas.
The Hindlip-based charity with nature reserves across Worcestershire has a range of local cards and gifts that can really make a difference to our county’s wildlife. From the popular calendar featuring images by local photographers to the opportunity to sponsor your own nest box and visit it in the spring, the charity hopes sales will raise money to fund its essential conservation work.
Becky Bradshaw King, Funding Development Officer for the Trust, explained “We all suffer from the worries of what to buy our nearest and dearest. This year, we’re offering the chance for shoppers with a conscience to really make a difference with the money they spend.
“All proceeds from the sale of our cards, calendars and gifts go directly into funding conservation work across Worcestershire. This year we’ve had record-breaking numbers of avocets breeding at our Upton Warren wetland reserve between Bromsgrove and Droitwich Spa, recorded good numbers of dormice at both our Blackhouse Wood and Monkwood nature reserves near Malvern and Worcester and we’ve rewetted the important marshland at Wilden Marsh between Kidderminster and Stourport.
“None of this would have been possible without funding to help manage our reserves for the benefit of wildlife. And, of course, what benefits wildlife ultimately benefits people!”
Card features local artist
This year the Trust is delighted to be able to offer packs of Christmas cards featuring artwork generously donated by local artist Shelly Perkins. Inspired by her love for nature and animals, the Teme Valley-based artist specialises in ‘digital collage’ – scanning her hand-drawn sketches and paintings into a computer to work on them further.
Shelly’s ‘Christmas Wren’ is available in packs of 10 and priced at £3.50 per pack.
Other packs of Christmas cards include badgers in moonlight, leaping hares, frosty robin and more.
The calendar features 36 images of local wildlife and scenes taken by winners of the Trust’s annual photographic competition. Calendars feature 12 winning images at A4 size and cost just £7.00. The Trust has already had a reprint of the calendars this year as they’ve proved so popular.
Virtual gifts
Becky continued “As well as our Christmas cards and calendars, we also have a number of virtual gifts - perfect presents that don’t gather dust and helps raise money for wildlife.
“Recipients receive a beautiful card that explains how the money will be spent. Givers can choose from bees or butterflies, wetlands or woodlands, dormice or birds.
“We also run a successful rent-a-nest scheme where givers can adopt a nest box for just £10 a year. For an extra £5, recipients also get an invitation to visit their nest box in the spring when there will hopefully be occupants.”
All items are available from the Trust’s online shop or from their headquarters at Lower Smite Farm (in person or over the phone on 01905 754919).
Becky added “We’re also really grateful to Cards for Good Causes outlets and Just for Pets stores throughout Worcestershire who are stocking our Christmas cards. They can also be purchased in person at Clive’s Fruit Farm, Upton Snodsbury Village Store, Gwillams Farm Shop, Chadbury Farm Shop, Bewdley Tourist Information Centre and The Birder’s Store.
“Cards and calendars are also available from the Trust’s local group meetings around the county.”
Tagged with: Fundraising, Calendar, Christmas cards, Christmas gifts