Hampshire based Barker-Mill Foundation is pledging to donate 5000 trees for planting in 2020/21 to community groups, schools and charities across the New Forest, Test Valley and Southampton. The ‘Promise to Plant’ campaign spearheads celebrations to mark their 25th Anniversary.
Since being set up by the Barker-Mill family in 1995, The Foundation has made over £4million of donations to a wide range of local organisations and charities supporting projects big and small. The ambitious anniversary ‘Promise to Plant’ is part of Barker-Mill’s wider commitment to a more sustainable future for the area and to help create a greener and healthier place to live.
When covid-19 lockdown has eased, the celebratory initiative will see the distribution of campaign packs to organisations and individuals, detailing all the ways to get involved. The Barker Mill Foundation is also calling on organisations that the Foundation has supported over the years, to come forward and request a tree donation.
Tim Jobling, Barker-Mill Trustee, said: “We wanted to mark 25 years in a way that had a lasting legacy that complements the continued support to the communities where we work and built on the donations we have been proud to make to so many local charities and community organisations over the years. Planting a tree is something everyone can do, and the benefits are immense from helping to fight climate change by locking up carbon to fighting flooding, trees reduce pollution and nurture wildlife and their majesty adds to the beauty of our surroundings.”
With tree planting season starting from November through to March, interested organisations will receive their requested tree(s) towards the end of October for the big Promise to Plant in November.
For 25 years, The Foundation has met the funding needs of a diverse range of charities and groups across four key sectors: performing arts and culture; health; local community services; and animal welfare. Recent donations have included £2000 to Totton Infant’s School for new iPads to support the children with their learning and £24,000 to Breast Cancer Haven Wessex to retain a vital Information and Support Officer for another year. Major arts recipient, John Hansard Gallery in Southampton, last year received a phenomenal £100,000 donation to support a three-year pioneering digital arts project.
If you want to support and get involved with the Barker-Mill Foundation’s pledge to plant 5000 trees across Hampshire, please email info@barkermillfoundation.com including details of your organisation, where you plan to plant the tree(s) and the impact you hope the trees will have on your environment and surroundings. Campaign packs and the tree(s) will then be sent out post-lockdown.