Donations help to protect future of the Roaches and Gun Moor

TWO major areas of the Staffordshire Moorlands are looking more secure following generous donations.

Staffordshire Wildlife Trust, the county’s largest nature conservation charity, is now saying a big thank you to supporters who have backed two fundraising appeals to help support its work in the Moorlands.

The Trust has received vital support from hundreds of people which will allow it to purchase a 78 hectare site at Gun Moor, north of Leek – an area vital to endangered wildlife like curlew, snipe and redpoll, and rare plants including bog asphodel, cross-leaved heath, several types of sedge and a range of sphagnum moss species.

People rallied behind the charity’s appeal to raise more than £50,000 which will go towards completing the purchase of Gun Moor. The Trust is in the process of submitting applications and bids to cover the remaining amount needed.

Meanwhile, in August

2018, a huge moorland fire swept across the Roaches causing devastation to one of Staffordshire’s most iconic landscapes.

More than 200 acres of moorland was destroyed during the blaze. A study carried out earlier this year by the Moors for the Future partnership found that the fire caused the loss of 50 years’ worth of valuable peat.

As a result of the fire, the Trust launched a fundraising appeal to help it raise money to purchase additional specialist fire-fighting and prevention equipment.

Almost £8,000 was raised after the appeal was launched, which has allowed the Trust to buy a raft of equipment including firefighting water pumps and back packs, fireproof overalls, safety goggles and facemasks.

Jeff Sim, senior conservation manager for Staffordshire Wildlife Trust, said: “We’ve been blessed with hundreds of donations across both appeals – which we’re eternally grateful for, and want to thank everyone who donated for their generosity and kindness.

“We rely on donations to carry out our work and allow us to buy land and equipment to care for reserves.

“These funds will allow us to complete the purchase of Gun Moor – a site so important to wildlife and a whole host of plant species. We can’t thank people enough for allowing us to raise the money needed.

“The money people have donated for our appeal will help us care for and protect the reserve should another fire occur in the future.”