Publish date: 23 June 2021
An Ashton primary school helped to plant a copse of trees at nearby Tameside and Glossop Integrated Care NHS FT to mark this year's Clean Air Day and the Queen's Platinum Jubilee.
Pupils from The Heys Primary School and teaching assistant Louise Shepherd joined hospital staff last Thursday (17 June) to plant a cherry tree in the hospital grounds. It's the first of 70 saplings that will be planted, which have been gifted to the hospital by The Woodland Trust.
Clarence House, on behalf of the Prince of Wales, has sent a message of support to Tameside Hospital at plans to plant a copse of trees.
Headteacher Miss Lyndsay Davison said: “We are delighted to be involved with this year’s National Clean air Day and The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. Here at the Heys Primary School we are passionate about the sustainability of our planet for future generations and are glad that we can play our small part in these worthwhile projects.”
The trees, once established, will help offset the Trust’s carbon footprint. They do this by absorbing odours and pollutant gases (nitrogen oxides ammonia, sulphur dioxide and ozone) and filter harmful particles out of the air by trapping them on their leaves and bark.
Director of Estates and Facilities, Paul Featherstone believes the Trust takes extremely seriously the critical relationship between the natural environment, the wider impacts of climate change, and the wider determinants of health and the resulting increased demand for healthcare services. He says: “Through our Save Planet Tameside and Glossop campaign, our vision is to embed sustainable development into the way we work and plan. That way we will reduce our own contribution to climate change, as well as adapting to the impacts it has across all of our sites and services to deliver a truly sustainable integrated healthcare service that is fit for the future.”
Trust Chief Executive, Karen James OBE says every year air pollution causes up to 36,000 deaths in the UK. She explains; “The World Health Organisation and the UK Government recognise that air pollution is the largest environmental health risk we face today. Poor air quality causes heart and lung diseases, is linked to low birth weight and children’s lung development and may even contribute to mental health issues. I am delighted that Clarence House has endorsed our tree planting programme, which recognises the importance of Clean Air Day and, that local schoolchildren were able to come along to help. Our hope, is that we will establish our copse ahead of the Platinum Jubilee next year with its emphasis on tree planting.”