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23 October 2008
Appeal for Chettisham Meadow needs a final boost!
Please donate today to protect the future of rare wildflower meadow
Local people and businesses are rallying round to help the local Wildlife Trust buy Chettisham Meadow near Ely. So far, £4,050 has been donated to the Trust’s urgent appeal fund to pay for the purchase of this unique meadow, which boasts a rare collection of wildflowers, insects and birds.
Linda Marshall, coordinating the appeal for the Wildlife Trust is delighted by the support for the appeal so far; “We have had a terrific response from local people and businesses and we are very grateful for all the donations we have received. Burrows bookshop and newsagent kindly donated raffle prizes for the appeal, many local organisations are displaying posters and Little Thetford Primary School collected over £700 with a fundraising Big Bug Hunt. However, time is getting short to reach our £18,000 target by 28 October, but we are optimistic as we know how much people value their local wildlife and countryside and want to protect it.”
Members of the Wildlife Trust’s own Ely Local Group have also been busy in an effort to raise money for the appeal. In early October they joined with the Local Campaign for the Protection of Rural Ely (LCPRE) for a sponsored litterpick at Roswell Pits, raising over £200 for the appeal and LCPRE funds. They also manned a display at Ely Apple Festival and took every opportunity to encourage local people to support the Chettisham Meadow appeal.
Martin Baker, Wildlife Trust conservation manager for Cambridgeshire explained; “We are absolutely committed to protecting this special place. We are hoping to raise enough funds to not only buy the meadow and so safeguard its future as a nature reserve forever, but to make it even better for wildlife and local people. In recent years over ten thousand rare and declining green-winged orchids have been counted at Chettisham Meadow. I hope that everyone will feel able to help with a gift – no matter how small – to save this very special part of our local heritage. Every contribution will make a vital difference”.
There is still time to help the appeal to succeed. If you would like to support the appeal, please choose one of the following options:
Donate online: |
Donate by phone: |
Donate by post: |
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Please call 01954 713543 with your card details. |
Please send a cheque or postal order to: |
If you would like any further information about the appeal or the work of the Wildlife Trust in Ely, or elsewhere in Cambridgeshire, please contact Martin Baker or Lorna Parker on 01954 713500 or email Cambridgeshire[at]wildlifebcnp.org
Media coverage of the appeal:
- BBC website news story
- BBC radio interview with Linda Marshall (courtesy of BBC Radio Cambridgeshire)
- BBC radio interview with Helen Moore (courtesy of BBC Radio Cambridgeshire)