Young Pupils Step Out to Support Local Red Squirrels
22 June 2026
Pupils from St Patrick’s and St Joseph’s Primary School and Garvagh Primary School braved persistent rain to take part in a sponsored walk in support of red squirrels in Gortnamoyagh and Garvagh forests.
The fundraising effort forms part of a wider environmental learning project which began in September 2025, when pupils from Primary 1 to Primary 7 took part in forest sessions focused on red squirrel conservation. The sessions were delivered collaboratively by school staff and Hare’s Corner Cooperative, helping pupils learn more about the species and the importance of protecting local woodland habitats.
In February 2026, a group of pupils worked together to plan, organise and lead the sponsored walk, putting their teamwork and leadership skills into action while encouraging support from the wider school community.
The funds raised will be put to good use in September 2026, when Primary 7 pupils will decide how best to support efforts to boost the red squirrel population in their local area.
The PEACEPLUS ASPIRE project is led by the Education Authority in partnership with Léargas, Early Years – the organisation for young children, the National Childhood Network, and the Fermanagh Trust. The project is funded by PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB).