Solar company hands out grants for eco-projects

A primary school and wildlife hospital are among the West Sussex organisations set to benefit from grants handed out by solar company Wagner Renewables.

The company handed out £1,200 in grants to four organisations - £300 each - for green or environmentally-friendly projects.

Among the recipients was Home-Start Chichester and District, which supports families with a wide range of challenges including homelessness, domestic abuse, poverty, disability and isolation. It will use the £300 grant to provide families with energy-saving devices and guidance to help reduce energy consumption.

Items such as radiator reflectors, LED lightbulbs and cistern bags to reduce water usage will be distributed to families. Just £7.51 can provide radiator reflectors for two families, while £16 supplies LED lightbulbs for five families.

Lois Rowlands, Home-Start Chichester manager, said: “Many of the families we support struggle financially and this means it’s a challenge for them to heat their homes. With Wagner’s Eco Grant we are going to be able to provide radiator reflectors, LED lightbulbs and draft proofing to help our families with their utility bills and improve heating in their home. We will be providing these in conjunction with our work with SGN to provide energy saving information meaning that our support for families in this area is meaningful, practical and effective.”

Sidlesham Primary School, a small rural school, will use its grant to create an inspiring outdoor learning area that includes items such as a tuff tray with a stand for hands-on exploration, a sensory wall to help children regulate their emotions, a large chalkboard for interactive learning, and storage buckets for outdoor equipment. Through these improvements, the school aims to instil a love for nature and an appreciation for the environment among its most vulnerable students.

Sophia Koiston, Headteacher at Sidlesham Primary, said: “This contribution will directly support our enhanced provision for children with additional needs, ensuring they have the resources and opportunities to thrive. It’s wonderful to see a local business investing in the future of our community, and we truly appreciate their commitment to making a difference in the lives of our pupils.”

The Friends of Chichester Harbour is dedicated to protecting, conserving and enhancing the stretch of the south coast that connects Hampshire and West Sussex. The grant will support the installation of a large bird box designed to provide habitat for bats, house martins and swifts.

A spokesperson from Friends of Chichester Harbour: “The grant from Wagner Renewables means that our charity is able to provide support for all sorts of nature recovery projects including increased habitats for birds through the installation of large bird boxes, restoring oysters to marinas to help improve water quality and improving sea-grass habitats for fish and other marine life."

Brent Lodge Wildlife Hospital was awarded a grant to support its hedgehog treatment and release programme. With hedgehog populations in decline and classified as vulnerable to extinction, Brent Lodge’s work is crucial to preserving this beloved species.

The funds will help the hospital care for over 200 hedgehogs during the autumn and winter months. Many of these hedgehogs will remain at the hospital until late spring to ensure they are healthy and ready for release.

Asha, Fundraising Manager from Brent Lodge, said: “The generous funding we have received will help Brent Lodge Wildlife Hospital provide vital care for sick or injured hedgehogs, along with other wildlife casualties, giving many the chance to recover and return to their natural habitats. Thanks to the generous contribution from the Wagner Renewables Eco Grant, we can continue our mission to help wildlife in need as well as educate the wider public about protecting local habitats.”

Mark Osborne, Managing Director of Wagner Renewables, said: “This project is all about giving back to the local community. So far, we have been able to donate over £10,500 between local charities and tree planting in The National Forest. This is a scheme we hope to continue and expand as we grow.”