NFU Mutual Marlborough make a donation to Action for the River Kennet

Earlier this week, Sam Edwards, on behalf of NFU, presented Action for the River Kennet(ARK) with a donation of £3254.50 from the NFU Mutual’s national £1.92 million ‘Agency Giving Fund’. NFU launched this fund, now in its fifth year, to help local frontline charities across the country to assist with the ongoing recovery from the pandemic and to help tackle the impact of the rising cost of living

This donation has enabled Action for the River Kennet, to continue to fund their River School Workshops for schools, Brownies, Cubs, Scouts and other groups. They offer a whole day on the river or two workshops, one in the classroom and one in the river. The children learn about chalk streams, what lives in the river, the life cycle of trout, fish anatomy and issues facing our rivers. The charity had its funding cut so any donations are vital for them to continue this valuable work within the community. During 2024/2025 children will benefit from these valuable workshops.

John Hardman, Senior Agent of the NFU Mutual Marlborough Agency, said, “We are extremely proud to have nominated ARK for this donation and are delighted to be able to support the vital contribution they make to our community. NFU Mutual’s Agency Giving Fund was first created in 2020 in response to the pandemic, and this ongoing support is helping to change lives, providing both emergency support and building long-term resilience.”

Anna Forbes, Senior Project Officer & Volunteer Co-ordinator at ARK, commented, “We’re so grateful to the Marlborough Agency of NFU Mutual for nominating our charity to receive a donation from the NFU Mutual Agency Giving Fund. The money has gone a long way in helping us to continue to fund our River School workshops teaching over 2000 students during 2024.

It’s support through donations from local businesses and supporters such as NFU Mutual Marlborough that are enabling us to deliver more River Schools year on year and work with new schools and groups within the Kennet catchment as well as continue to work with those we’ve had a long-term relationships with for many years.

To be able to organise and run River Schools at no charge to the schools and groups means finance is not a barrier to their participation in this important project.”