🎨 Draw a squirrel. Help save a species. 🐿️
The People's Red Squirrel Banknote Collection has been such a success that we're extending it throughout the school summer holidays!
The new closing date is 31 August 2026.
Our goal? To deliver the Bank of England a wonderful collection of red squirrels created by people from every corner of Britain.
When the Bank announced the shortlist for its new wildlife-themed banknotes, one much-loved native species was missing.
The red squirrel.
We asked you what you thought.
More than 500 supporters replied and almost every single one agreed that Britain's iconic red squirrel deserved its place.
So instead of simply complaining, we decided to create something positive.
The People's Red Squirrel Banknote Collection.
And what a response we've had.
We've already received a fantastic collection of entries from across Britain, including some wonderfully imaginative AI-generated designs. Thank you to everyone who took part. The AI gallery is now complete.
Now we're looking for something even more personal...
🖍️ Hand-drawn red squirrels - like my effort above!
🎨 Paintings and sketches
📷 Your favourite photographs of real red squirrels
❤️ Anything that celebrates Britain's beautiful native red squirrel
There are no complicated rules and no need to use our original banknote template, although it's still available if you'd like it. Simply send us your creation and, if you'd like, we'll happily turn it into a banknote design for you.
Whether you're five or ninety-five, we'd love to see what you create.
Surprise us!
At the end of the competition we'll produce The People's Red Squirrel Banknote Collection and proudly send it to the Bank of England as a celebration of one of Britain's most treasured native mammals.
Because this has never really been about a banknote.
It's about making Britain's disappearing red squirrel impossible to ignore.
Every drawing, painting and photograph is another reminder that this remarkable native animal still has thousands of people willing to stand up for it.
One supporter said something that has stayed with me ever since:
"As a child, our native red squirrels were everywhere. Now they are nowhere."That's why this matters.
When a species disappears from everyday life, it begins to disappear from everyday minds.
And when it's forgotten, it's easier to lose.
Meanwhile, our campaign continues to grow.
More than 85,000 people have now signed the Save Our Reds petition.
What began as a Change.org petition has grown into Save Our Reds CIC, bringing together supporters, scientists, conservationists, landowners and politicians behind a practical Conservation Action Framework to help secure a future for Britain's remaining red squirrels.
Our approach has always been constructive.
Wherever possible, we want to work alongside governments, agencies and conservation organisations to find practical, evidence-based solutions.
But one thing is beyond debate.
Natural England has warned that, without urgent action, red squirrels could disappear from mainland England within the next 25 years.
So while you're creating your squirrel, why not ask a friend or family member to sign the petition too?
We're now more than 85,000 voices strong and every new signature brings us one step closer to our next milestone.
100,000.
You can enter the competition, download the optional banknote template and find out more at:
Or simply email: hello@saveourreds.uk
Because every signature, every shared memory and every squirrel helps keep Britain's native red squirrel in the public consciousness.
It may not have made the Bank of England's shortlist.
But together, we can make sure Britain's native red squirrel becomes impossible to overlook.
Finally...
Save Our Reds has been incredibly busy over recent months, but we try not to fill your inbox with constant updates. We'd much rather write when there's something genuinely worth sharing.
If you'd like to follow the campaign more closely, see new competition entries, conservation news and behind-the-scenes updates, we'd love to welcome you to The Save Our Reds Official Campaign on Facebook:
facebook.com/groups/saveourreds
We'd love to see you there! 🐿️
With thanks,
Marie Carter-Robb