The Port of Dover and VSBW have raised money for a local charity by working with young carers in the community to construct 50 limited edition ‘beach hut’ bird houses out of recycled timber from the Dover Western Docks Revival (DWDR) construction site.
Dover smART Project, a local charity working with vulnerable and disadvantaged people through community art projects, will be selling the ‘beach hut’ bird houses on their website to raise money for local young carers who care for family members. All money raised will go into the young carers Christmas fund.
Dawn Maddison, from Dover smART, said: "Dover smART Project are thrilled to be able to work with VSBW and the Port of Dover as recycling waste materials for the benefit of Dover’s community is a genius idea.
"These limited edition ‘beach hut’ bird houses are all individually painted and numbered, with the first 20 already sold - money raised will be used for our young carers Christmas events."
As a further contribution to nature and wildlife conservation, VSBW also built two bat roosts, which will be donated to the Kent Bat Group for inclusion in local woodland areas which will provide a further safe habitat for the bats.
Ron Eckersley, Corporate Social Responsibility Manager for VSBW, said: "We chose to build the ‘beach hut’ bird houses as it ties in with our project development at Dover, and using reclaimed wood material is a great way to raise money for the children and get them involved.
"The bird houses took a few hours of our time to make, which we hope contributes to the children enjoying a better Christmas from the funds raised as recognition for their hard work."
Alyson Hudson, Corporate Social Responsibility Officer for Port of Dover, said: "It is great to see how a project such as Dover Western Docks Revival will not only support local regeneration once completed, but is already supporting work with local charities, local young people and local wildlife by making every part of the project, including the construction phase, count."
The ‘beach hut’ bird houses are £10 each and can be purchased via the website at https://doversmartproject.co.uk/2017/06/02/charity-beach-huts-for-birds/, and with only 50 having been produced, stocks are limited!