There was a special helper for some High Peak school children as they learned first-hand about looking after the environment.

TV presenter Gemma Hunt joined pupils from Fairfield Endowed Junior School in Buxton as they got busy with litter pickers to clean up their community.

Gemma – well-known to families for her work with the BBC’s CBeebies and CBBC channels – is an ambassador for The Outdoor Guide Foundation, which provides waterproofs and wellies to state schools, enabling more children to experience the outdoors.

Fairfield Endowed Junior School is part of the Peak District National Park’s new Ambassador Schools initiative, which aims to build relationships between the Peak District and schools and communities. It promotes the benefits of outdoor learning and enables young people to enjoy, care for and take pride in the National Park.

The Ambassador Schools programme is supported by a £8,900 grant from US insulated products brand Hydro Flask via the Peak District National Park Foundation.

Thanks to the funding from Hydro Flask, each of the eight Ambassador schools receives a set of waterproofs and wellies from The Outdoor Guide Foundation, a set of litter picking equipment, and an outdoor experience kit box, packed full of goodies to help children connect to nature. 

The litter pick was led by Jackie Wragg, youth engagement officer with South West Peak Landscape Partnership, and also marked the start of Keep Britain Tidy's Great Spring Clean - which runs until 10 April.

Jackie Wragg and pupils with litter picking kits and Hydro Flask water bottles

Jackie said: “It’s great to be able to provide our Ambassador schools with this type of equipment, to give pupils a real experience of getting outdoors and caring for the environment.”

Foundation fundraising manager, Sarah Slowther, added: “We’re delighted that Ambassador school activities are underway. We’d like thank Hydro Flask and TOG for their generosity, which means that all children have access to appropriate clothes and equipment. It really helps us to inspire the next generation of nature lovers.

“Big thanks, too, to Gemma for joining the litter pick. It was a lovely surprise for the children and they really seemed to enjoy having some celebrity support!”

People can learn more about Ambassador schools at Peak District Ambassador Schools: Peak District National Park

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