News

The award recognises the centre’s dedication to environmental sustainability and community support through its partnership with the Wildlife Aid Foundation (WAF).

 

Supporting Local Wildlife Conservation

 

In 2023, the Swan Centre selected WAF as its Charity of the Year. WAF is a local charity committed to the rescue, rehabilitation, and release of British wildlife. The partnership aimed to support WAF’s mission and raise awareness and funds for the charity’s new Wildlife Aid Centre on the outskirts of Leatherhead. This new centre, set on 20 acres of land, will serve as a wildlife corridor and community hub, fostering environmental education and conservation.

 

Innovative Promotional Campaigns

 

To promote this initiative, the Swan Centre implemented a series of engaging and educational campaigns throughout the year:

 

• Easter Campaign: Launched the charity partnership with printed materials, posters, a dedicated stand, and donation collections.

• May Half Term: Introduced “Wildlife Wednesdays” with a butterfly trail, craft workshops, stilt-walking butterflies, and free face painting to educate the public on butterfly conservation.

• Summer Events: Themed around “Wind in the Willows,” these events included character appearances, craft activities, storytelling sessions, and a nature trail along the River Mole to promote local wildlife appreciation.

• Halloween Campaign: Featured a “Here to Hang Out this Halloween” event, themed around bats to highlight WAF’s “Adopt a Bat” campaign, with activities including a giant inflatable bat, bat stilt walkers, and various Halloween-themed entertainment.

 

Each event integrated educational elements to teach families and children about the importance of wildlife, alongside opportunities to donate to WAF through cash collections and QR codes.

 

Achievements and Impact

 

The Swan Centre’s efforts have been met with tremendous community support, raising over £1000 per event for WAF and significantly enhancing public awareness of local wildlife conservation. The creative and interactive nature of the campaigns helped to engage thousands of visitors, promoting environmental education and sustainable practices.

 

Douglas Anderson, spokesperson for WAF, praised the Swan Centre’s initiatives, stating, “The partnership with the Swan Centre has been invaluable. Their commitment to environmental awareness and community engagement has not only helped us raise essential funds but also increased public understanding of the importance of protecting our local wildlife. We are incredibly grateful for their support.”

 

Robin Howland, Partner and Head of Commercial Property Management at SHW, commented: “We have been working alongside Mole Valley District Council for many years and we are delighted that our collaborative work at the Swan Centre has been recognised for this international award.  A real group effort, so thanks to all the team involved and to FrogBox for their support.”

 

Looking Ahead

 

The Swan Centre remains dedicated to supporting local charities and environmental initiatives, continuing its role as a key player in the Leatherhead community. The success of the partnership with WAF sets a precedent for future campaigns, aiming to create a positive impact on the environment and local wildlife.

 

The charity of the year for 2024/2025 is Momentum Children’s Charity and aims to show the same support throughout the year.

 

For more information about the Wildlife Aid Foundation and their ongoing projects, please visit Wildlife Aid Foundation.