NEO COMMUNITY LAUNCHES ANNUAL CHRISTMAS APPEAL
TREE PLANTING BY ROYAL ASSENT
IN BRIEF
NEO COMMUNITY LAUNCHES ANNUAL CHRISTMAS APPEAL
TREE PLANTING BY ROYAL ASSENT
Wirral-based Neo Community has launched its annual Christmas toy and food appeal and is seeking people and locations willing to be drop-off points through December .
The annual campaign is focused on collecting toys and long-life foods to be distributed to children and families across Wirral this Christmas . Last year generous donations collected from drop-off points across Wirral allowed Neo Community to help thousands of families and spread some festive cheer .
This year , the charity has also set up an option to donate money to the campaign , to make getting involved even easier . The fundraising page is now open and accepting donations : https :// neo _ community . donr . com / neocommunity .
Ema Wilkes , Neo Community CEO , said : “ Every year we are bowled over by the kindness and generosity of the local community , it really does make a difference to so many people ’ s lives .
“ This year , as the cost-of-living crisis continues to impact families here in Wirral , the demand is greater than ever , and we are appealing for individuals , businesses , and organisations in our community to come together once again so we can ensure that we spread smiles this Christmas and that no-one is left behind .
“ As well as food and toy donations , we would love to hear from anyone willing to be a drop-off point for goods throughout December . We are also accepting financial donations through our dedicated campaign link , with every penny received going back into our communities this Christmas .”
Any toys donated should be brand new and unwrapped , and longlife food is required . Drop-off points will be announced on Neo Community social media channels .
Neo Community was founded in 2013 and quickly became recognised as a key provider of food assistance and support throughout the local community . The organisation , which became a registered charity in 2019 , has since extended its offer to include social supermarkets , a community café , kids and youth clubs , holiday activities , family supper clubs and activities for older residents , as well as training , wellbeing , and a men ’ s and women ’ s group .
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Wirral Council has been successful with two bids to an environmental fund set up to celebrate the Coronation of King Charles III .
The Coronation Heritage Fund is being administered by the Department for the Environment , Food and Rural Affairs ( DEFRA ) and made £ 2.5 million available for local authorities around the country to support tree planting projects in their area .
There are two strands for the fund and councils were able to apply for funding in both categories - Coronation Micro Woods , which encourages councils to plant miniature areas of rapidly establishing woodland in urban areas and Coronation Community Orchards , which provide grants to local people and groups to establish community orchards . Wirral has been awarded £ 27,690 to plant five micro woodlands and £ 10,195 to create three orchards . Community planting events are planned for early 2024 for each of the projects to be funded through the scheme .
Micro woodlands will be planted at : -
• Upton Park
• Arrowe Park
• Mount Road Greenspace
• Dibbinsdale LNR
• Townfield Lane
Orchards will be planted at : -
• Townfield Lane
• Kempson Terrace
• Heygarth Road Greenspace
To attend any of the community plantings for these schemes , or any of our other arranged tree planting days , register your interest online Tree planting is an important part of our local response to the environment and climate emergency declared by Wirral in 2019 . It contributes to the Council ’ s adopted Tree , Hedgerow and Woodland Strategy and supports The Mersey Forest Plan .
Wirral have an ambitious target of planting around 210,000 new trees in the borough over a 10-year period – effectively doubling Wirral ’ s tree canopy . Up to August 2023 , there are more than 64,000 new trees in Wirral , many provided through community planting events across the borough such as the ones planned to deliver the Coronation Heritage Fund projects .