This is your chance to double your donation during the week of 22-29 April 2025 for this year's Green Match Fund campaign to help disadvantaged youngsters get a taste for nature in the South Downs National Park. Every £1 donated this week will be doubled by the Green Match Fund - up to a maximum of £10,000.
It is now widely acknowledged that teaching outside the classroom contributes positively to healthy lifestyles, improves learning outcomes / attainment and wellbeing. We learn to love nature as children. Those that love nature are more likely to protect it for generations to come.
Why should you donate?
Many children do not experience the countryside and have never visited a heathland, woodland or coastline. This week we aim to raise funds to support primary schools in areas of deprivation to provide days of learning outside in the beautiful South Downs National Park with coach transport and specialist facilitators.
We already offer schools in deprived areas, within 10 miles of the South Downs National Park, fully funded day trips to the National Park. This includes coach transport and an outdoor education provider. Locations for visits are wide ranging but have included Goodwood Education Trust, South Downs Forest School, Arundel Castle, Gilbert White’s Study Centre, Butser Ancient Farm, Weald and Downland Museum, Devil’s Dyke, Cuckmere Haven, Lodge Hill and RSPB Pulborough Brooks. (Image credit: The Garden Classroom with a group at Cuckmere Haven)
Demand from qualifying schools is very high and will outstrip funds available for 2025. The more you can donate to this campaign the more children will benefit and get to spend quality time in a stunning National Park environment.
What difference will it make?
All participating schools have commented on the difference that this funding has made to their pupils. The vast majority stated that the trip would not have gone ahead without the support of this grant fund.
“Funding to take our society’s most vulnerable pupils on school trips is essential in supporting their curiosity and understanding of the world around us. By funding this trip, you have provided opportunities that these children would never get and for that we can’t thank you enough. Keep up the great work.”
“This funding is crucial to schools currently. There is no way school budgets can cover the costs, and our families are unable to contribute the large amounts that would be required without such funding. These kind of visits, which are invaluable for building cultural capital and providing opportunities for our most disadvantaged, will quite simply stop if funding isn’t available.”
(Image: School children enjoying a heritage bus at Amberley Museum as part of a visit enabled by South Downs National Park – Credit Hangleton Primary)
“The Grant makes a huge difference to our school being able to offer a memorable school trip at a reasonable cost – thank you”
“We would not have been able to go without the grant because our families can not afford to pay for school trips.”
And from the children:
“The best day ever!”
Pupils from Cottesmore Primary – in a wildflower meadow. Credit – Miles Davies