Bowker MINI volunteers with Ribble Rivers Trust

Teams from Bowker MINI in Preston and Blackburn hosted their first volunteer event to support conservation and environment improvements.

At both events, staff joined forces with their customers to volunteer for Ribble Rivers Trust. Whilst neither centre is a stranger to working with charities, it was the first time they had collaborated with customers to work together on local conservation.

Bowker MINI in Preston focused on removing as much litter as possible at the River Ribble in Penwortham, Preston, to help free the river and riverbanks from waste and plastic and preventing it from reaching the sea.

Bowker MINI in Blackburn went brash bundling along Bashall Brook, near Bashall Eaves. Brash bundles are used to protect the riverbank from further erosion. Bundles are created from coppiced Willows and act as natural barriers, dispersing the energy of the river water, and providing habitat for fish and invertebrates.

For Bowker MINI, Amy Lancaster-Hall, group marketing manager, said: “MINI is built on Big Love, and we’re on a mission to make life brighter. Two little words with the power to inspire a world of change. Many of our staff and customers live locally and enjoy the Lancashire countryside for recreation and leisure pursuits. Ribble Rivers Trust created two great events. We learned so much about their mission and this is just the start of our volunteering with them.”

Last month Bowker MINI made their Big Love Pledge to deliver conservation improvements in the Ribble catchment to benefit people, wildlife and the environment.