Credit: Steve Pope Fotowales
A science education charity teaching children in South East Wales to protect marine life is among a host of the UK’s most progressive and impactful charitable projects that have been awarded a funding boost from the ScottishPower Foundation.
Nineteen charities across England, Scotland and Wales have been awarded funding totalling almost £1.2 million for projects tackling a range of issues, from cost-of-living support, to promoting diversity and inclusion, raising awareness of the ongoing climate and biodiversity crises and addressing skills and attainment gaps in society.
Techniquest in Cardiff will provide free access to 2,000 children through school visits, and to an additional 1,000 people across the summer holidays to learn about how to protect marine life from pollution. To inspire people from some of the most economically challenged areas in South East Wales to take action, the Ocean Extravaganza project will draw on research from marine biodiversity experts and be delivered by the Live Science Hosts at Techniquest, one of the UK’s longest-running science discovery centres.
Melanie Hill, Executive Officer and Trustee at the ScottishPower Foundation, said: “The young people set to benefit from the Ocean Extravaganza project represent the climate ambassadors of the future, so it’s amazing to see them gain the skills and education they’ll need to influence decision-makers and put protecting the planet in the spotlight.
“Projects like this are prime examples of how the ScottishPower Foundation’s support is helping to create a better future for the next generation, and why it’s important for us to recognise and boost the incredible work of charities across the UK.”
Lesley Kirkpatrick, CEO of Techniquest, said: “Techniquest is passionate about providing all young people from across South East Wales and beyond with education and entertainment. With the ScottishPower Foundation’s support, we’re giving thousands of young people and their families the chance to visit our centre for free, offering them unparalleled access to all of our amazing activities and programmes.”
Celebrating its tenth anniversary, the ScottishPower Foundation has awarded over £12 million to charitable initiatives across the UK.
Melanie Hill added: “This is an incredibly exciting year for us, with so many amazing projects benefitting from our support and making a difference within their local communities. The real impact these initiatives will have for so many people can’t be understated, and I can’t wait to see what amazing work these charities will continue to do throughout the year.”
