Trees are essential for the planet’s well-being turning carbon dioxide into oxygen. As most of us can’t plant 200 or more trees in our own garden, we have a solution that helps us reduce our carbon footprint whilst giving life saving resources to others.

The saplings project has the support of author and broadcaster, Tony Russell.

“So inspired was I with Feed The Children’s Saplings Project,” says Tony, “that I decided to donate a page to it in my 'Gardens to Visit' book. As a 'tree man' anything to do with trees pulls all the right strings for me and it was especially so with such a good cause as this. I wish the charity well in its campaign to get more trees planted both in this country and in Africa."

Some 80% of rural Africans depend on wood for fuel, but in some parts of Africa, trees are becoming scarce due to nomadic habits and pressures of growth. Our Saplings project educates children in these areas on the importance of trees for their future and gives them trees to look after and cultivate, underlining the message to the whole community.

Typically, a child will be given two saplings – either a fruit tree or one with medicinal properties and another, fast growing tree for cutting for firewood. Fruit trees include mango and tangerine, whilst trees with medicinal use can be neem or jatropha. The children learn through songs and poems and take home a simple and powerful message: if you cut down a tree, plant two more!

The Feed The Children (UK) project provides saplings, tools, fertiliser and a visit from a training officer. The ultimate benefit of the tree can give triple benefits – fruit to supplement nutrition, wood for fuel and horticultural skills to build confidence.

To fund the project and create greater awareness, we are selling special Saplings ribbons at £1 each.  Each ribbon represents a sapling.  The ribbons are green (for leaves) and brown (for roots), you can visibly show your support. To obtain ribbons ring 0118 932 0095 or email info@feedthechildren.org.uk.

Everyone is talking about energy and carbon offset, but what does it all mean – in real terms – and what can you really do about it?

By taking our simple carbon footprint questionnaire you can find out roughly how many trees it takes to eliminate your use of fossil fuel based energy like gas, electricity and oil. The stark reality is that most families need to plant more than 200 trees to offset their carbon footprint – and that’s if they have a standard family car and don’t go abroad on holiday by aeroplane! We produce 6 to 7 tonnes of carbon per family and each tree can convert up to 29 kilos of carbon dioxide each year in to oxygen. The maths is more complicated than that, but the implication is clear – plant more trees!

Garden centres and nurseries who sell trees can also get involved with the Saplings Project by contacting DSH Public Relations on 01252 408820 or by emailing DSH PR, who can provide all the promotional material needed.

Alternatively you can help today...