Their bug box project took place over four days and included collecting wood, sticks and leaves from Leazes Park to fill them, group constructing and individual decorating of the boxes, before placing them in the grounds of the wildlife charity’s St Nicholas Park reserve in Gosforth.
Fired with wild enthusiasm, the young people who were supported by approved levy apprenticeship/training provider Catch 22, went on to donate £64.00 raised at their fundraising coffee morning at Brunswick Methodist Church in Wideopen.
Alex Skelly, Catch 22 Youth Worker who worked with the young people throughout the course of the week says: “It was great to see the young people getting passionate about the environment. After being in lockdown, they certainly jumped at the opportunity to be outside in nature.
“It was also inspiring to see them host the fundraising coffee morning and for them to see where the money raised will be going and how simple acts can really help charities.”
Mike Pratt, Northumberland Wildlife Trust Chief Executive says: “A massive thank you to Catch 22 for providing the young people with the opportunity to help wildlife and learn how to fundraised for a good cause - skills which will stand them in good stead for the future.
The National Citizen Service (NCS) is a voluntary personal and social development programme for 16- 17 year olds in England and Northern Ireland. It was formally announced in 2010 by Prime Minister David Cameron as part of the Conservative - Liberal Democrat coalition government's Big Society initiative, and was launched in England in 2011.
After the 2015 general election, the programme was continued under the Conservative government with the scheme being made permanent through the National Citizen Service Act 2017.
