LNER Funding Helps To Bring River Aire Back To Life

The Aire Rivers Trust is dedicated to preserving and enhancing the River Aire and its tributaries. Through its Riverfly programme, the charity works with local volunteer groups to monitor eight different groups of invertebrate life in the Yorkshire river, collecting data which pinpoints areas which have been impacted by pollution. 

Funding from the LNER Customer and Community Investment Fund (CCIF) has enabled the Trust to expand the Riverfly programme into Leeds, recruiting and training more volunteers. They collect vital data which highlights vulnerable areas and shapes future restoration projects.  

A short film released by LNER spotlights the vital work volunteers from the Friends of Gledhow Valley Woods carry out with the guidance of the Aire Rivers Trust, to improve the biodiversity of Leeds Beck.  

Sam Riley-Gunn, Citizen Science & River Worth Officer for the Aire Rivers Trust, said: “The funding from LNER is allowing us to expand our project to create and sustain improvements in the River Aire, enhancing water quality and the ecosystems in the river. We have been able to train local environmental groups, meaning communities are able to get actively involved with the regeneration and maintenance of their local river. We’re grateful to LNER for their support.” 

Rachael Wilson, Community Investment Manager for LNER, said: “The work carried out by the Aire Rivers Trust not only improves the quality of river life, but it also improves the quality of life for the local community. Through its Riverfly programme the charity empowers both young and older members of the community to be actively involved in the improvement of their surrounding environment. LNER is incredibly proud to support their work.”