CHILDREN helped a nature charity to launch a campaign encouraging people to go wild.

Durham Wildlife Trust will stage Wildathon! at Rainton Meadows Nature Reserve, near Houghton-le-Spring, on Saturday, June 15, between 10am and 4pm. There will be workshops including how to make gardens better for wildlife and children's drop-in activities.

The event will be part of 30 Days Wild, a national campaign co-ordinated by The Wildlife Trusts to encourage people to find out more about the wildlife on their doorstep during June.

Pupils from Academy 360 in Sunderland were among those at a preview event at the reserve this week.

Reception teacher Jordan Wilson said: “Our topic this half term has been minibeasts and the children have loved looking for different insects around school and going on minibeast hunts. Joe’s Pond at Rainton Meadows offered lots of great activities that fit around our topic and that we knew our children would really enjoy.”

In addition, children’s drop-in activities will run throughout the day, including Pond Dipping, Wild Storytelling and Bug Hunting. All participants will receive a Wilder Future goody bag with gifts themed on the workshops from the day.

During June, Durham Wildlife Trust is asking everyone do something wild every day for a month. The challenge is designed to make room for nature, no matter where you are or how busy your life.

Zoe Hull, head of Durham Wildlife Trust operations and development, said: “As a Trust, we are increasingly concerned that young people, in particular, are losing a vital connection with flora and fauna and we hope that our Wildathon! event will help to ignite their interest.“30 Days Wild gives people of all ages an opportunity to take a moment to appreciate the importance of our flora and fauna in promoting a sense of well-being. It would be an ideal time to visit one of our many reserves.”