Friends of Bluebell Woods receive donation from United Utilities

Local volunteer group, Friends of Bluebell Woods, have received a valuable boost to their community clean-up and conservation efforts, courtesy of a donation from United Utilities’ Community Fund.

To help enhance and continue their conservation and clean-up efforts, Friends of Bluebell Woods enlisted the help of the United Utilities Community Fund, requesting an equipment donation to help them maintain and tidy the woodland space and aid their ‘Balsam Bashing’ efforts along the banks of Fazakerley Brook.

Balsam Bashing is a common practice amongst many conservation groups and see’s the removal of Himalayan Balsam, which is an invasive non-native species that returns to rivers year on year. It spreads extremely fast and so, its quick removal is a vital task to ensure positive water health and ecosystems.

The group, based at Aintree Hospital, Mersey, forms part of ‘The NHS Forest’, which is an alliance of health sites working to transform NHS owned green spaces. The organisation works hard to improve these areas for the health and wellbeing of local communities, whilst also encouraging biodiversity.

The NHS has around 6,500 hectares of land in England alone, with more than 400 healthcare sites part of the alliance, and so, the local community groups that form The NHS Forest, do everything they can to ensure these spaces are used to their full potential.

River Rangers from the North West’s water company met with The Friends of Bluebell Woods as they handed over the equipment. The donation consisted of items such as PPE, litter pickers, rakes and spades, so that the volunteers can continue and expand their efforts safely and efficiently.

The group quickly got to work, undertaking a “Spring Clean” in the area and clearing away more than 20 bags of rubbish.

Barry Keeling, from The Friends of Bluebell Woods, commented: “We are a small group of individuals, passionate about our local environment and most grateful to United Utilities for providing us with equipment to help care for the woods.

“We have Fazakerley Brook running through the woods and over the years, we have had huge problems with Himalayan Balsam. The battle to remove Himalayan Balsam from riverbanks by hand is always challenging, and so with this donation, we’re able to continue our efforts and do so safety. We’d like to say a huge thank you to United Utilities for their support. We look forward to working with them again in the future. ” 

Mark Booth, Area Engagement Lead at United Utilities added: “At United Utilities, we believe that healthy rivers and woodlands are vital to the wellbeing of our communities and the environment. We are proud to support the Friends of Bluebell Woods with this donation and by working together, we can foster biodiversity, protect vital ecosystems, and ensure our rivers remain healthy for generations to come.”

The United Utilities Community Fund supports community groups whose activities:

• Benefit local watercourses and riverside environments
• Act as catalyst for improved community and environmental wellbeing
• Reconnect communities to riverside environments
• Promote sustainable drainage

Groups can apply to the fund for up to £2,500 worth of support by emailing:  Stakeholderrelations@uuplc.co.uk with details of their request.