Two childhoods, generations apart
This wonderful drawing came from one of the youngest contributors to The People’s Red Squirrel Banknote Collection.
The message accompanying it read:
“Hello, my Grammy is sending you this picture I drew of a red squirrel.
I have seen them at Escot Park in Devon but never in the wild.
I am 5 yrs old.”
Five years old, and already helping to keep Britain’s native red squirrel visible.
Her words brought to mind something another Save Our Reds supporter told us while looking back on his own childhood:
“As a boy, red squirrels were everywhere. Now they are nowhere.”
Two childhoods, generations apart.
In one, red squirrels were a familiar part of everyday life.
In the other, a five-year-old has seen them at a wildlife park, but never in the wild.
That is what the disappearance of a species looks like. Not one dramatic moment, but a living animal gradually becoming a memory between one generation and the next.
We cannot allow that story to continue.
A huge thank you to everyone, young and old, who has sent us a drawing, painting or photograph so far. Every entry is different, and together they are becoming a joyful public collection that we will send to the Bank of England after entries close on 31 August.
There is still plenty of time to join in.
No template is needed and no artistic expertise is required. Draw one, paint one or send us a favourite photograph of a real red squirrel.
Simply email your entry to:
Meanwhile, our petition has slowed almost to a near standstill at just over 85,000 signatures.
We now need to reach the next 15,000 people and show the Government that the public will not quietly accept the disappearance of Britain’s native red squirrel.
If you have already signed, please send the petition to just one person today and ask them to add their name.
If you haven’t yet signed, please do.
Let’s help make sure that one day this young artist can see a red squirrel where it truly belongs:
in the wild.
With thanks,
Marie Carter-Robb
Founder, Save Our Reds CIC (saveourreds.uk)