Now in its third year, ‘Grow with Esh’, the project aimed at helping school children develop gardening and horticultural projects in or near their schools, has been launched by north east construction company Esh Group’s charity; Esh Charitable Trust.

Twenty schools, from Berwick in Northumberland, across Tyne & Wear, County Durham, Tees Valley and to Guisborough in North Yorkshire, have each received £1,000 which will be used during the course of the summer to set up and develop their projects to compete for prizes totalling £5,000.  Over 60 schools have now benefitted from the scheme which has committed £75,000 in grants and prizes over the three years.

All primary schools throughout the North East were invited to send in ideas for a project in which students tackle some form of horticultural cultivation and improve an outdoor area near to or connected with their school.  The judges of the £5,000 prize money, the winners of which will be announced later this year, will be looking for projects involving the community as well as providing excellent classroom learning and highlighting issues such as healthy eating and entrepreneurship.

Jack Lumsden, a Trustee of the Esh Charitable Trust explained:
‘‘Every school we’ve selected gets £1,000 to use on their scheme – after that it’s down to them!  To stand a chance of winning any of the £5,000 prize money they’ll have to work hard.  We’re looking for ‘can do’ people who have good ideas and put them into practice.  At Esh Group we employ over 1,000 people and we believe that it’s important, especially in these challenging times that people are positive and versatile.’

The three best schemes will receive prizes of £3,000, £1,500 and £500 respectively following judging in the autumn term.  The projects will be continually assessed throughout the duration of the competition.

Commenting at the launch Karen Wilkinson-Bell, Regional Director of Business in the Community in the North East said;
‘I understand that this is the third year of ‘Grow with Esh’ and that including today, 60 schools and hundreds of children have benefitted from the project.  Business in the Community recognises what a great example it is of how Esh Group supports the future of the region through young people.’