Veolia is launching a new national campaign to supply schools with free fruit trees.

The scheme in Nottinghamshire is being run in partnership with Nottinghamshire County Council and each successful school will join Veolia’s network of national orchards, which are being supported by community action charity Groundwork.

The campaign aims to improve the wellbeing of young people and nurture their skills to create a positive change to their environment. The maturing fruit orchards will become a source of healthy food for schools, whilst also helping to improve their local air quality and create new habitats for wildlife.

Schools can apply online at www.veolia.co.uk/veolia-orchard for their free fruit trees until Friday, 8th July. Successful applicants will be informed from Monday, 18th July with tree deliveries taking place during September and October. The trees will be accompanied by an information pack on how to plant the trees and harvest the fruit, making this a unique learning opportunity for pupils.

Coun Neil Clarke, cabinet member for Transport and Environment at Nottinghamshire County Council said: “We’re delighted to launch this campaign in Nottinghamshire and are sure that our schools will appreciate having the chance to improve their outdoor spaces by planting fruit trees. Not only is this a great  learning opportunity for local school children but it is also another step forward in our battle against climate change and helps increase their understanding of where their food comes from.”

Lea Hawkes, general manager for Veolia Nottinghamshire, added: “We understand that not all communities have equal access to good quality green space, which is why we’re excited to partner with Groundwork for this new campaign. These orchards will give pupils a rare opportunity to learn how to grow and look after trees with the added benefit of providing an ongoing supply of fruit. We look forward to seeing the campaign take root in schools and reconnect them with the natural environment.”