Eden Rivers Trust has provided the inspiration for Harry, an enterprising nine year old from Carlisle, to kick one of Cumbria’s non-native invasive species (INNS) into touch and raise £500 for new kit and equipment for his team, Gillford Park FC under 10’s.  

We recruited a number of residents and willing volunteers to help us remove and dispose of Himalayan Balsam on the banks of the Eden at Petteril Vale in Carlisle recently.

Attending our event gave Harry the idea for his own sponsored ‘Balsam Bash’ to raise funds for his team based close to the river Petteril. Joined by teammates, volunteers and Eden Rivers Trust staff, Harry and the assembled team will be tackling this tricky opponent in a home fixture on Sunday 1st September.

Harry’s mum, team coach and team administrator Marie said:

“It’s great to be able to raise vital funds for our wonderful little team and benefit our local area at the same time. We can all do our bit to help ERT raise awareness of the need to get involved and care for our environment.”

*If you’d like to make a donation towards new equipment for Harry’s team, visit their JustGiving page 

Why Himalayan balsam? This invasive, non-native plant has become a common sight along the banks of the river Eden, dominating areas to the exclusion of deep-rooted native plants that provide the stability needed to protect riverbanks from erosion and the variety of food and habitat essential for native wildlife.

It’s not the first time that young people in the area have been inspired to take action to look after their environment. A hands-on course about the importance of healthy rivers and the Petteril Valley, delivered by our Learning Coordinator Tania Crockett for the Year 6 class at Petteril Bank School, motivated a group of pupils to enter a Dragon’s Den style competition.

Their presentation of a proposal to help protect their environment and to improve the health of Eden’s waterways beat 12 competing schools in the catchment to win their School Education Trust’s Innovation Award for 2024.

Elizabeth Radford, CEO said,

“The enthusiasm of our young people to not only learn about issues facing our environment but to take positive action is so encouraging for the future of this special place.

“Eden Rivers Trust exists to promote healthy, natural rivers and spaces where Eden’s people and wildlife can thrive and we couldn’t do it without the support of our amazing communities and volunteers. I will be making a personal donation to the team’s brilliant fundraising efforts!”

This year’s balsam bashing activities were organised as part of ‘Action Against Invasives’, from the Access to Eden: breaking barriers, building bridges partnership project led by Eden Rivers Trust with a grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.