Posted on Monday 22nd February 2021
Pupils from Walton High School in Stafford are celebrating after receiving funding to build a new bike shed for Sixth Form students.
The pupils received £450 towards the project from Staffordshire County Council’s Climate Change Action Fund.
The group hope to start work on the shed when they return to school. Funding for the project will also allow the fitting of a corrugated polycarbonate roof with guttering and water butts, with rainwater being used to water the school garden, making the project even more environmentally friendly.
In their application students explained that with more and more pupils cycling to school and trying to do their bit for the environment, space for bikes has become very scarce. A new shed will give us an extra 20 spaces which will solve the problem.
Student Sophie Roberto says:
“Our Sixth form students are going to do their bit to save the planet by cycling to school and our bike shed will keep our cycles dry.”
Danny Goodman-Newman, also a pupil at the school added:
“We will also be able to collect rainwater from the bike shed roof and use it on the school rose garden helping the planet even more”.
Deputy Headteacher, Bruce Fletcher said:
“I’m very proud of our sixth formers who have shown great foresight and initiative. They are all very aware of climate change issues and the urgency with which things need to happen. They know that having more storage space for bikes will continue to encourage pupils to cycle more, which has huge benefits for everyone.
"They have already raised £450 for the project by selling fruit juice from the school orchards and honey harvested from the school's bee hives. I’m very confident they will see their project through.”
Cllr Julia Jessel, Cabinet Member with responsibility for climate change at Staffordshire County Council said:
“Tackling climate change remains a priority for the county council and why we introduced our fund. It’s a huge issue which impacts all of us but if we work together we can really make a difference.
“This is a good example of the kind of project that can make a difference. Getting more children on two wheels is great news. It’s not only good for their health and fitness, it’s also good for the environment and helps reduce the amount of traffic on the local roads, resulting in less congestion and air pollution.”
Grants of up to £1000 can be applied for through the Climate Change Action Fund. The scheme is open to not-for profit organisations, including charities, societies, voluntary and community groups, parish councils and schools.
The fund closes on Friday, 26 February 2021. Further details on funding opportunities is available at https://www.staffordshire.gov.uk/DoingOurBit/Funding.aspx