Local letter writers inspire generations
Scott 100 campaign draws letters from young and old alike
After an inspirational year - the Queen’s Jubilee, the Olympics and the Paralympics, WWT’s Scott 100 letters ‘Inspiring Generations’ campaign continues apace. WWT Arundel Wetland Centre is calling on more members of the public to write letters and help the centre inspire people about nature even more.
Since the campaign was launched in Spring this year hundreds of letters have been received and over £60,000 donated to the special Scott 100 Appeal Fund set up to allow schools in deprived areas to bring their pupils for a free, guided expedition around their nearest WWT centre.
Among the local letters sent in, there have been some truly inspiring, and funny entries, examples include:
In a letter to Richard Branson, written as a poem, Heather urges him to use his influence to organise a celebration to help spread the message about the need for conservation saying
“ I know you are a busy man. With trains to run and trips to plan. But still I hope you'll spare the time. To read this heartfelt, simple rhyme.............”
Another letter writer urges their own nephew to take photographs of all the things he sees around him and share them with her. And on a totally different note - in a letter to the family cat - 13 year old Georgie entreats the cat to get out more and loose some weight, as opposed to sleeping on the bed all day!
The campaign was launched to celebrate the Scott Centenary year. In 1912 Scott of the Antarctic wrote to his wife as he lay dying in a tent
“I am anxious for you and the boy’s future – make the boy interested in natural history if you can .”
That letter inspired his son Sir Peter Scott to found the WWT, spearhead the modern conservation movement, pioneer natural history broadcasting and to inspire a generation - including Sir David Attenborough - with a passion for the natural world.
The campaign invites the public - of any age - to write a letter via the www.scott100letters.com web site asking a politician, celebrity, business leader, public or private individual to use their ability to inspire people to care about and make a difference to the environment and natural world.
The 100 most inspiring letters will be chosen by a panel of celebrity judges including Captain Scott’s grandson, Falcon Scott, Kate Humble, Bill Oddie, Miranda Krestovnikoff and Chris Packham and posted to the recipients from Antarctica next Spring by Kate Humble!
The letter judged the most inspirational overall will also win a luxury family adventure holiday courtesy of Sani Resort in Greece.
Around the country inspired people have been writing to influential people. The singer Adele, for instance, has been asked to write a song about the environment, and Bill Oddie has penned a letter to the world’s politicians, reminding them that they have “the power, and therefore the responsibility” to protect the natural world.
Olivia Iles, Centre Manager from Arundel Wetland Centre says:
“We have set up a special Scott 100 display at our centre and are inviting people to come and write a letter while they are here. We want to spread Peter Scotts message of inspiration and encourage people to experience nature first hand.”
