February 2019: The massive support given to LHCRT is highlighted by these two recent examples, the Lichfield TSB and Forresters Scout Group:
Foresters Scout Group’s generous donation to LHCRT
"I was astounded and delighted to receive a cheque for £779.42 at a presentation made at one of the Scout Group’s Cub meetings. During 2018 the young people in the the Yoxall group’s Beaver, Cub and Scout sections all undertook fundraising activities based on a theme of “Water”. They chose two charities to support: LHCRT and, through the Environment Agency, Water Aid. Their success is therefore even more astounding as the same amount also went to Water Aid. Foresters Scout Group is now in its third year of supporting the Canal Trust, and once the clocks have changed we look forward to each section joining us to help with a variety of tasks, such as tree planting, brick moving, litter picking, tidying wild flower beds and back filling new canal walls. This is a dynamic Scout Group and every time they have joined the Canal work has been a true delight."
LHCRT receives huge support from TSB
"I was equally delighted to receive cheques for £1507.67 from TSB Lichfield’s Manager, Chris Hunt and our main link at TSB Lichfield, Julie Boulton. Over the last two years the Lichfield Branch has chosen LHCRT as its charity Partner and throughout that time its staff have been enthusiastic and imaginative supporters. During last summer Julie brought her rowing machine in to the branch and staff attempted to row the seven miles of the Lichfield Canal (equivalent to the route from Huddlesford to Ogley Junction). They left the last mile to three of the Trust’s volunteers! They also made up a Christmas hamper and raffled it, and collected donations of money in the branch. A notice in the bank for unwanted gardening tools has also resulted in many useful items now in regular use on the restoration and grounds work. Because the Canal Trust is a charity partner it was eligible to apply for TSB’s national Community Fund.
The Trust has many youth organisation volunteers: each week a team from Queen’s Croft High School works hard on one of the sites; during the lighter evenings two local Scout Groups bring their youngsters to do various tasks; at any one time there are at least six Duke of Edinburgh Award young people doing their volunteering hours. These young people come almost whatever the weather and they do demanding work. We find ourselves short of leather gloves, tools such as loppers and saws and a portable gazebo to provide them with shelter. The £1000 grant from TSB’s Community Fund will provide us with the necessary kit for our superb young volunteers. The £507.67 raised by the local branch would always have been most welcome, but coming now when we are still raising money to fund the “See It Through” canal tunnel under the Cross City railway line makes it even more welcome. The Trust is most grateful to the wonderfully friendly staff at TSB’s Lichfield branch."
Christine Bull