Supporter Story - Young fundraisers rally behind red squirrels in Woolston | The Wildlife Trust for Lancashire Manchester and North Merseyside

Three young nature lovers from Woolston Park raised £100 for red squirrel conservation by selling handmade crafts and running a raffle at their local Easter Extravaganza. Their creativity and passion show how young people can make a real difference for Lancashire’s wildlife.

Inspired by red squirrels

At Lancashire Wildlife Trust, we’re lucky to have an incredible community of supporters who step up for nature in so many different ways. From cake sales to sponsored walks, every effort helps protect the wildlife we all love. Recently, three young nature champions from Woolston proved that age is no barrier when it comes to making a difference.

Lottie, Martha, and Rebecca are part of the Young Friends of Woolston Park group, a local club where children aged seven and up meet once a month to take part in litter picks, help with park maintenance, and learn more about nature.

When the girls attended a talk on National Red Squirrel Awareness Day about the plight of these iconic animals, they were struck by how vulnerable red squirrels have become. Once a common sight across the UK, red squirrels have sadly declined due to habitat loss and competition from the non-native grey squirrel. Determined to help, the girls decided to take action.

🌟 Meet the Young Friends fundraisers!

Martha, Rebecca and Lottie the red squirrel fundraisers

Behind the colourful stall and creative ideas were three friends - Lottie, Martha, and Rebecca. As regulars at the Young Friends of Woolston Park group, they’re already used to rolling up their sleeves for nature by helping with litter picks, park maintenance, and learning from visiting speakers.

This time, they went a step further by organising their very own fundraiser. Their determination and teamwork meant every detail was thought of, from handmaking crafts to running the raffle.

What they achieved:

Raised £100 for red squirrel conservation and their local park
Spread awareness about the plight of red squirrels to dozens of visitors
Inspired their community by showing how young people can make a real difference

We wanted to do something for red squirrels because they need our help to survive.

Rebecca Whitby

Crafts, raffles and community spirit

The trio came up with a creative plan: they would make and sell their own handmade items, and run a raffle to raise money.

Over the next few weeks, they got to work. From colourful crochet animals to beautiful drawings and paintings, their crafts were filled with love and imagination. When the Easter Extravaganza rolled around at Woolston Park, they set up their stall and got ready to share their creations with visitors.

Throughout the day, their enthusiasm shone through. They told people about red squirrels, encouraged raffle ticket sales, and chatted with friends, family, and neighbours about why this cause mattered. By the end of the event, they had raised an incredible £100 for red squirrel conservation.

Rebecca Whitby

Painting of an elephant, bird and tree in the sunset

Rebecca Whitby

Rebecca Whitby

A special thank you visit

Molly the red squirrel officer with red squirrel fundraisers

The girls’ hard work didn’t go unnoticed. To celebrate their amazing efforts, both our Fundraising Officer David and Red Squirrel Officer Molly visited Woolston Park to meet Lottie, Martha, and Rebecca in person.

Together, we delivered a special red squirrel talk, giving the girls the chance to ask questions, learn more about conservation, and see how their fundraising really makes a difference.

Moments like these show something powerful, when young people feel connected to nature, they don’t just care about it, they take action. And that action inspires others to follow their lead.

Helping red squirrels thrive

The £100 raised by Lottie, Martha, and Rebecca will go directly towards our work protecting red squirrels in the North West. That includes monitoring populations, managing woodland habitats, and supporting volunteers who dedicate their time to making sure reds have a future here.

Every contribution adds up. By supporting the Trust, these young fundraisers have joined a wider movement across our region to secure a future for red squirrels in places like Formby, Sefton, and beyond.

👉 If you’ve been inspired by their story, why not take on your own challenge for wildlife?

Start your fundraiser today