Is Anna Britain's most dedicated unsung environmental hero? (From Stroud News and Journal)
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Is Anna Britain's most dedicated unsung environmental hero?
10:12am Monday 4th March 2013 in News
By Chris Warne, SNJ reporter for Stonehouse and Chalford. Twitter @ChrisWarneSNJ
A STROUD resident has been shortlisted in a nationwide search by the World Wildlife Fund to find Britain's unsung environmental heroes.
Anna Bonallack has made it down to the final few of the WWF's Hidden Heroes competition, which was launched as part of the charity's Earth Hour campaign.
The UK-wide search has been undertaken to highlight and recognise inspirational people who have gone that extra mile to help improve their community's environment.
Anna was nominated by her friend, Stroud county councillor Sarah Lunnon, who responded to the WWF's appeal.
The Green Party member put Anna forward after she developed a project with Transition Stroud named YES! (Youth Exploring Sustainability), which provides resources and support for schools so pupils can explore sustainability.
Since launching YES! in September, Anna has run activities in five schools in the Stroud area, including two for young people with disabilities and has also managed to arrange grants for teachers, allowing them to spend more time on sustainability issues.
Anna is now in the running to receive a £500 cash prize to support a green initiative of her choice. If successful, she will be invited to receive her award and celebrate Earth Hour at a ceremony in central London on March 23.
"I am delighted because I really want to highlight the sustainable issues I am currently working on," she said.
"The project aims to put secondary schools at the hub of sustainable communities and we hope to expand it in the near future."
WWF's Hidden Heroes campaign is being backed by England legend and former Chelsea footballer Graeme Le Saux, who will join leading environmental figures on the judging panel to help decide Britain's Hidden Heroes.
The charity's Earth Hour takes place at 8.30pm on Saturday, March 23, when hundreds of millions of people across the globe will turn off their lights for one hour, to show they care about the planet's future.
For more information about Anna's work visit: www.y-e-s.org.uk
