200 hundred trees to be planted thanks to Southport Air Show patrons

More than 200 trees will be planted across Sefton thanks to the generosity of visitors to the recent Southport Air Show.

Two hundred and sixteen saplings will be planted throughout the borough after a campaign by Sefton Council’s Tourism team, which encouraged visitors to the hugely popular air show to help offset any carbon emissions the event may create.

Earlier this year Sefton Council confirmed it is on track to be net zero carbon by 2030, noting a 13% reduction in total emissions from the baseline, rising to 28% once projects started this year are complete.

The 2030 target, which was set out in Sefton Council’s Climate Emergency declaration in 2019, is ambitious but critical to preventing further damage to the climate. All Council decision making reports now have to consider climate implications and training has been developed for all staff to ensure that all areas of the Council are on board with this ambitious but necessary work.

A spokesperson for Sefton Council said:

“Reducing our carbon footprint and helping our borough combat the climate emergency is a common goal across the authority.

“While events like the Southport Air Show are vital for our tourism sector, we appreciate more needs to be done to offset any potential carbon emissions. That is why we encouraged as many people as possible to donate £1 to ensure a sapling is planted in their honour.

“Future generations will greatly benefit from the power of these fantastic trees – even a young woodland can lock up over 400 tonnes of carbon per hectare, helping to reduce pollution and combat with climate change.

“Reducing our carbon footprint is at the forefront of all our event planning and going forward we will be offering this voluntary planting scheme at future events, including the upcoming Southport Musical Fireworks Championship between September 23rd and September 25th.”

Sefton Council’s Tourism team also helped place a huge smile on the faces of hundreds of foster care families, with 220 free tickets being donated to Sefton foster carers and children for them to enjoy the two day event.

A Sefton Fostering spokesperson added:

“We were so happy to receive over 200 free tickets from Sefton’s Tourism Team for the Southport Air Show this year.

“We know that our families who attended had an incredible two days at the show and it was a fantastic example of the Local Authority working together as one for the benefit of our communities.

“We will continue to work with our wonderful Tourism team on future events to see what benefits we may be able to provide for our foster families.”

The 2022 Southport Air Show weekend was also a huge success for the young Southport 281 Squadron Royal Air Force Air Cadets , who raised £627 from the sale of event programmes that will now go towards funding future activities and events.

To find out more about stunning events in Sefton, including the British Musical Fireworks Championship, please visit www.visitsouthport.com