Donation will help youngsters learn more about river

TONY HENDERSON on a boost for a charity that aims to boost young people's understanding of the River Tyne

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A RIVERS charity has received a funding boost to support its work in schools.

Tyne Tunnels operator TT2 is donating £20,000 towards Tyne Rivers Trust's learning programme which is dedicated to ensuring that young people understand the importance of their local river and the challenges that it faces.

These include the threat to its freshwater pearl mussels which can live for more than a century but are among the UK's most endangered species facing a significant threat of extinction.

This is being tackled by a £13m pound species recovery grant scheme that over the last two years has seen Natural England target conservation efforts to give the mussels a chance to flourish.

The species serve as nature's water treatment plants, with a single adult mussel capable of filtering up to 50 litres of river water daily, removing fine particles, algae and bacteria that threaten aquatic ecosystems.

Simone Saville, head of learning and engagement at Tyne Rivers Trust said: "Our relationship with TT2 stretches back to the inception of Tyne Rivers Trust and we are extremely grateful for this latest funding support for our schools programme.

"The aim is to bring the river closer to young people. We want them to learn through hands-on, creative and meaningful experiences the key challenges facing the Tyne including climate change, river health and industrial heritage. This investment from TT2 helps us to continue this important work."