Brian Larkin presented Kevin Perberdy of the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust with a cheque for £35,000 last week to help fund one of their latest projects.

The donation will be used to create an art installation near the entrance to the trust’s Slimbridge Reserve in Gloucestershire. The build, which features a number of different birds in its design, is on schedule with a formal opening planned for this October half term.

The sculpture is just one element of a wider makeover at Slimbridge and the third WWT project that MITC have been able to assist with via Moto Hospitality’s carrier bag income. Previous donations have helped create a new ‘Pocket Park’ at Temple Wood near Slough and the building of Shepherd’s Hut, for birdwatchers and photographers also at the Slimbridge site.

On receiving the cheque, Kevin Perberdy, Chief Operating Officer at the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust, said:  “Creating and enjoying art is a wonderful way to connect with the natural world, and the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust has a rich artistic heritage that stretches right back to our founder Sir Peter Scott, who was one the best known wildlife artists of the 20th century.

“This striking new sculpture will welcome visitors to Slimbridge for years to come. We’re hugely grateful to MITC for helping realise this project. Their ongoing support is helping us get people closer to nature in all sorts of interesting and innovative ways.”

Brian Larkin, Chairman of Moto in the Community said:

“We are thrilled to help the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust with what promises to be a magnificent sculpture at Slimbridge. The reserve is undergoing some major changes and it’s really exciting for MITC to be a part of its regeneration and improve the experiences of its many visitors.”