Cornwall Wildlife Trust has received £46,300 from The National Lottery Heritage Fund to help ensure its continued work.

Since the coronavirus pandemic and lockdown began the Trust has seen the cancellation of fundraising events due to social distancing measures and a fall in new members due to recruitment methods not being possible.

This has put the organisation’s funding at strain which could impact their capacity to continue their conservation work, at a time when nature and wildlife have rarely been more appreciated.

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Beaver at Ladock. Picture: Jack Hicks

James Webb, Cornwall Wildlife Trust fundraising manager, said: “Thanks to the National Lottery and its players we can now ensure any decisions about the future of our work are made in the best interest of wildlife, rather than due to immediate cost savings required.

"We’re grateful that The National Lottery Heritage Fund is supporting us at this crucial time – it’s a lifeline to us and others who are passionate about sustaining natural heritage for the benefit of all.”

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River Fowey from Cabilla Reserve. Picture: Ben Watkins

The funding, made possible by National Lottery players, was awarded through The National Lottery Heritage Fund’s Heritage Emergency Fund. £50million has been made available to provide emergency funding for those most in need across the heritage sector.

The UK-wide fund will address both immediate emergency actions and help organisations to start thinking about recovery.

Ros Kerslake, chief executive of The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: “Heritage has an essential role to play in making communities better places to live, supporting economic regeneration and benefitting our personal wellbeing. All of these things are going to be even more important as we emerge from this current crisis."

The National Lottery Heritage Fund is currently open to applications for its Heritage Emergency Fund.