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Wightlink Launches Eco-Grant Scheme For Secondary Schools 

Wightlink’s Dean Murphy presents the Green Fund for Schools cheque that helped St Thomas of Canterbury pupils transform a derelict pond

Isle of Wight secondary schools and colleges have been invited to apply for a share of £10,000 from Wightlink’s second Green Fund for Schools initiative to support environmental projects on the Island.

The first scheme, launched earlier this year, supported 15 primary schools with cash grants for a host of projects ranging from energy efficiency and recycling schemes to the creation of wildflower meadows and reinvigorating school ponds. 

Wightlink is now encouraging secondary schools and colleges to apply for funding for projects to be delivered next year.

This time the emphasis will be on sustainable living and decarbonisation. 

Wightlink Chief Executive Keith Greenfield said:

“We were blown away by the enthusiasm and creativity shown by Island primary schools and have enjoyed seeing their projects progress. 

“We look forward to receiving applications from secondary schools and colleges wishing to embark on sustainable projects geared towards reducing or removing carbon, leaving a legacy, providing ongoing education and/or continuing into future years.

"This is something which is really important to us as a company.” 

Maggie Sanderson, Headteacher at St Thomas of Canterbury Catholic Primary School in Carisbrooke, said the school used its Wightlink grant to create a wildlife pond:

“We purchased native plants to inject life into what was previously a puddle of water in a barren field.

“The grant has not only enabled us to improve biodiversity at the pond, it has also created an additional learning resource for our children which provides study opportunities year round.”

Applications should be made via Wightlink’s website by Friday December 2 — full details can be found online

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