I'm planting trees for the future

Fran Corney, 24, has been working as an intern for Trees for Cities for the last month. After travelling around South America working on community projects, she came back to London with a determination to work for a charity that is helping the environment in the UK.

"I've just helped to plant my first tree....in Vauxhall Spring Gardens where the charity Trees for Cities is planting trees and wildflowers with the help of local primary school children.

"It's part of the Plant Your Future initiative and knowing that this will help the local environment for many years to come gave me a huge sense of satisfaction.

"We live in a polluted city where trees can make a huge difference. For example, a large beech tree can provide enough oxygen for the daily requirements of ten people - as well as allowing other habitats to thrive.

"Together with the enthusiastic Trees for Cities team, I've also helped teach primary school children about the importance of trees to the environment and worked on consultations with local estates where planting trees not only makes them greener it also makes them much more pleasant places to walk through.

"I love being in the outdoors and working in the community, so this really suits me. I am really excited about planting and protecting lots of trees in the months to come and now I want to make a career out of it."

Trees for Cities has planted over 140,000 trees around the world.

The charity has a range of volunteering opportunities from fund raising to tree planting. Visit www.treesforcities.org/