Ryan Tubridy visits Rampark National School in Louth
Some lucky Louth students recently won a very special visit from self-professed book worm and avid-reader Ryan Tubridy as part of the WillowWarm Briquettes Christmas story telling competition for primary schools.
The pupils of Rampark National School, Jenkinstown, Co. Louth were delighted when Ryan arrived to celebrate their winning entry, presenting them with their prize and joining them for a storytelling session.
Students were tasked with getting creative to tell the story of their school’s efforts to be more environmentally friendly and sustainable, by entering an essay, short story, painting or project with a €1,000 prize for the school’s sustainability activities plus one tonne of WillowWarm Briquettes awarded to the winning teacher.
In their winning entry, the pupils of Rampark National School demonstrated their concern for the environment and commitment to sustainability as a way of life through a visual presentation.
They sketched out a plan of their school and identified areas for improvement, from their lunchtime gardening club where they collect and conserve rainwater and produce compost in their polytunnel for growing their own fruit and veggies. They also showed how they care for wildlife with their bird feeder and bug hotel.
The students got suitably festive with their entry with a Christmas tree fashioned out of used toilet rolls and showed how they were reducing plastics by creating a mural from old bottle tops. And of course, they pointed out they reduce their carbon footprint by travelling to school in the most sustainable way possible.
Ryan Tubridy said:
“Well, I have really enjoyed my association with WillowWarm. I like what it does for the environment, for the ecology and now for young people and education, because I am going to be reading a beautiful story to a wonderful class and a great teacher.
“I have always been a fan of teachers and what they do for the young minds of Ireland and I cannot wait to get busy reading Christmas stories to my new friends at the school this morning. I wish everybody a very, very happy Christmas with lots of books and lots of clean, warm heat."
Commenting on the winning entry, Liam Mulcahy, Sales Director with WillowWarm Briquettes said:
“At a time when we’re all having to be so aware of the impact of climate change, it is gratifying to see the passion and commitment from the young pupils of Rampark National School, and the practical steps they are taking.
“WillowWarm, are equally committed on our mission of helping Ireland transition to renewable heat by providing our indigenous, carbon-neutral product to the Irish market.”