SUEZ Doncaster Environment Fund awards £15,000 to local good causes

Doncaster organisations were invited to apply to the SUEZ Doncaster Environment Fund for projects that improve the local natural environment, reduce waste and increase recycling. The Fund is run by SUEZ who are employed by Doncaster Council to collect and process the borough’s recyclable material.

A judging panel made up of representatives from SUEZ, Doncaster Council and the Doncaster Free Press met at the end of last year to review the applications and make the awards.

Ten projects in total were awarded funding, including:

• Conisbrough Forward, a group of volunteers committed to enhancing the village of Conisbrough through events and environmental projects. The group received £1,500 from the SUEZ Doncaster Environment Fund to produce detailed booklets of local walks and to support their work in keeping the village clean and tidy.
• Friends of Sandall Beat Woods – a volunteer group established during the pandemic to maintain and enhance the woodland – received £1,158 to provide wood and materials to create wooden seating in their sensory garden. The Woods are a site of special scientific interest and attract visitors from across Doncaster and beyond.
• Operating in some of Doncaster’s most deprived communities, Yorkshire Bike Shack repairs and refurbishes second-hand bikes for families. The group received £1,500 to continue their work in not only ensuring fewer bikes go to landfill but that local families who may not be able to afford a bike can still enjoy cycling.
• Tickhill Community Library were awarded £1,500 to renovate and transform some land to the rear of the library into a pocket park and sensory garden. Their plans are to transform the overgrown area and create a fully accessible safe space where adults and children alive can explore their senses without being overwhelmed.

SUEZ’s Contract Manager, Victoria Crabtree said: “SUEZ has a long history in Doncaster and are delighted to be able to play our part in the community and support a number of green projects across the borough”

Councillor Mark Houlbrook, Portfolio Holder for Sustainability and Waste at Doncaster Council, said: “We are committed to making Doncaster as good and green a place to live as possible – that’s why I’m absolutely delighted to see so many great local causes benefit from this year’s SUEZ Doncaster Environment Fund.”

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In total, 10 community groups were successful this time round - they are:

• Askern Welfare Cricket Club, who received £1,450 to repair, refurbish and regenerate the club’s pavilion and other facilities
• Branton St. Wilfrid’s CofE School, who received £1,500 for renovation works at the school’s sensory garden
• Cantley with Branton Parish Council, who received £1,209 to purchase litter picking equipment for the local community
• Friends of Quarry Park, who received £1,350 to fund benches and rest spaces throughout the park
• Friends of Sandall Beat Woods, who received £1,158 to enhance their sensory garden
• Northgate Pre-School and Toddlers, who received £1,000 to make improvements to their outdoor environment
• The Garden Villagers, who received £1,000 for bedding plants and flowers to brighten up Kirk Sandall and Barnby Dun.
• Conisbrough Forward, who received £1,500 to create booklets of local walks
• Tickhill Community Library, who received £1,500 to create a pocket park and sensory garden
• Yorkshire Bike Shack, who received £1,500 to repair bikes and donate them to local families