P r e s s R e l e a s e

Schools Help Raise £1,200 for Bog Conservation



For immediate release 10 May 1996

Ireland is one of the most important countries in the world for bogs. Today, less than one quarter of these bogs are alive and undisturbed by man. The IPCC (see Editor's Note 1) launched their third annual schools action campaign to encourage young people to play their part in saving the Bogs. The challenge to the schools was to organise a collection of used postage stamps and send them to the IPCC to support the Save the Bogs campaign (see Editors Note 2).

As usual, the response from schools has been overwhelming. As Dr. Catherine O'Connell, IPCC's Chief Executive explains, 70 schools took part, collecting 100 kilos of stamps, with a value of £1,200 (see Editors Note 3). "We were delighted with the response - the students put a lot of work into the collection, sorting and trimming of stamps which shows their commitment to save a part of our peatland heritage".

The overall winner who collected the greatest weight of stamps won a special visit to the school from TV personality Don Conroy together with a £150 book and a video gift pack. Five runners-up received book and video prizes worth £50. Every school that entered received a certificate from Don Conroy to commemorate their hard work.

WINNING ENTRY

Class Flánnan, St. Caimin's Community School,Tullyvarraga, Shannon, Co. Clare - 8.3 kilos

RUNNERS-UP

St. Mac Dara's Community School, Wellington Lane,Templeogue, Dublin 6W - 7 kilos

Scoil Iognáid, Bóithrín na Sliogán, Gaillimh - 6.5 kilos

St. Anne's National School, Esker, Lucan, Co. Dublin - 3.44 kilos

North Kildare National School Project, Clane Road,Celbridge, Co. Kildare - 3.41 kilos

Mount Carmel Secondary School, Kings Inns Street, Dublin 1 - 4.2 kilos

The IPCC Stamp Appeal is continuing and anyone who wants to send in stamps, or obtain a Stamp Collector's Pack, should contact the office at IPCC, Lullymore, Rathangan, Co. Kidare. Tel 045-860133, Fax: 045-860481. E-mail: bogs@ipcc.



EDITOR'S NOTE 1: The Irish Peatland Conservation Council is a national charity and is entirely supported by voluntary contributions. Conservation projects include: purchasing bogland nature reserves, providing resources and training for teachers and education groups, repairing damaged bogs, fostering a positive attitude towards bogs, and encouraging lifestyles in harmony with the environment. The IPCC can be contacted at: Lullymore, Rathangan, Co. Kidare. Tel 045-860133, Fax: 045-860481. E-mail: bogs@ipcc. Registered Charity Number: CHY6829

EDITOR'S NOTE 2: The Save the Bogs Campaign was launched in 1985 by the IPCC to ensure that the Government live up to their commitment of conserving 50,000ha of bog. The campaign involves lobbying Government, raising funds for bog purchase and repair and educating teachers, pupils and the general public on the value and intrinsic beauty of Ireland's bogland heritage. To date IPCC have purchased four bogs, helped in the repair of others and have an active Primary and Secondary Schools Education Programmes.

EDITOR'S NOTE 3: Schools who entered the Stamp Collecting Campaign 1996