A CHARITY which runs a nature reserve in Slimbridge has been handed a £10,000 funding boost. 

The Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust recently received the grant as part of the Movement for Good Awards, which is run by the Benefact Group.

The funding will go towards helping the charity save wetlands for both wildlife and people.

Conservationist Sir Peter Scott, founded the WWT on the banks of the River Severn in 1946 with 1,000 members and one site at Slimbridge.

Since then, the charity has grown to 10 UK sites, created and helped to protect thousands of hectares of wetlands in the UK and in the world.

Around 15 million birds migrate to WWT sites across the UK every winter.

The funding grant was awarded by the Benefact Group, which gives donations based on nominations from the public.

The group is made up of specialist financial services businesses that donate "all available profits to charity".

It is believed the donation will support a programme of projects to deliver improvements to wetland sites across the UK.

Pete Lee, head of philanthropy and partnerships, says, “We are delighted to be a beneficiary of Benefact Group’s Movement for Good Awards. 

“The Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust is responsible for creating, restoring and managing over 6,000 hectares of some of the UK's most important wetlands. 

“As our climate changes, it brings new threats including increased predation and scarcity of water. 

“With this support, we will be able to do more to build the resilience of our wetlands and ensure they continue to thrive for the benefit of people and nature.”

Since 2019, the group has recorded more than 1.9 million nominations from the public, awarding more than £5m to thousands of charitable causes around the UK and Ireland.

As part of the awards, two Gloucester charities have both received a grant of £1,000 including Senior Staffy Club and children’s charity Little Meadow Group.

Cheltenham Festivals has also won a large grant.

Officials have encouraged residents across the county to keep nominating charities.

You can nominate a charity here - www.movementforgood.com