Tree appeal donations a 'great community effort'

Guernsey charities say they are grateful for the support they have received to restore woodland in the bailiwick following Storm Goretti.

Guernsey Trees for Life (GTFL) and the Nature Commission set up the Storm Goretti Appeal after winds of up to 95mph (155km/h) hit the island on 8 January, which saw an estimated 1,000 trees lost.

The appeal had raised more than £14,000, so far, organisers said.

CEO of the Nature Commission Jessi Jennings thanked supporters, saying: "It's been a really, really great community effort."

The funds would be allocated following an "assessment of impact" by the GTFL, fund organisers said.

Jennings said: "Hopefully, in the coming months, we'll be able to share what that plan exactly looks like, and then we'll be putting a call out for some more help.

"A good portion of the money is going to be used for aftercare once the tree has been planted to make sure it's looked after."

Andy McCutcheon, of the GTFL, said looking after the trees was as important as replanting them.

He said: "The focus will be on aftercare as well, so it's not just a question of putting trees in the ground.

"We're hoping that the funds will be certainly as much as we need to repair or at least offset some of the damage that we've seen."

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