Two schools get Challenge Funding

Glendermott Primary School and Nursery Unit, gets £3,300 for the Glendermott Garden Community project, the aim of which is the development of horticulture facilities throughout the school along with the development of a disused woodland site to be developed serve as an environmental learning resource.

Meanwhile, Thornhill College gets £4,000 for their Journey to Zero Waste educational recycling initiative across the school

The awards were announced by Environment Minister Mark H Durkan, who in June invited applications for projects that would improve the environment.

Announcing the successful projects at Thornhill College in Derry, Mark H Durkan said: “It is fantastic to see the passion that our young people have in the protection and enhancement of the environment. A good example of that is the project at Thornhill College.

“The College, will work with Zero Waste North West and the Council to deliver a programme of recycling education across the whole school. The project will not only deliver a tangible environmental benefit through less waste going to landfill, but it will also reap dividends for years to come as 1,400 pupils see at first hand the benefits of recycling.

“This is something that we can all learn from and encourage. This work with young people is vital not only for the local environment and wider community in the here and now, but for generations to come. I pledged that the 5p levy on carrier bags would be ploughed back into the environment. The Challenge Fund is one way of doing that. I commend all the Challenge Fund applicants for their desire to carry out real environmental action.”