RIVERS and freshwater habitats across Devon and Cornwall need help and a charity has devised various ways for people to offer support this month.   

Westcountry Rivers Trust (WRT) based in Stoke Climsland, has been restoring and protecting the region’s rivers for almost 30 years.  

The charity has launched a fundraising Riverside Challenge to tie in with World Rivers Day on September 24.   

Josie Purcell, communications manager at WRT said: “We’d love people to celebrate their waterways by walking, running, cycling, swimming or paddling 24km of their favourite, or newly-discovered, river location as they fundraise to help us reach our £5,000 target.   

“With more and more news about the state of our rivers being shared, the public has taken the health of them to heart, and people want to help diminish negative impacts such as sewage or plastic pollution on freshwater environments. This is a great way to do something with family, friends or on your own that will benefit the watery places we love.”   

The charity has an active volunteer citizen science programme, and the Riverside Challenge will help raise money to cover the costs of water quality testing kits, support habitat improvements, ensure delivery of educational workshops and much more. World Rivers Day weekend will also see the charity’s national organisation The Rivers Trust hold the UK and Ireland’s first Big River Watch.  

This survey calls on people to spend 15 minutes by their local river, answering questions as prompted on its new app (which will launch on September 18 and be available long-term) to build a complete picture of river health nationally so action can be taken where needed for rivers.   

 • To find out about the Big River Watch, visit theriverstrust.org/take-action/the-big-river-watch