A schoolboy with a taste for adventure put any fears to one side to swim alongside some of the natural world’s most fascinating creatures.
Young Finley Carter took to the water at Skegness Aquarium, where he was lucky enough to swim alongside black-tip reef sharks, rays, unicorn fish and a host of other sea life – as amazed visitors looked on from the other side of the glass.
“I was nervous at first, but once the dive took place, I was excited to see the sharks up close,” he said.
The 10-year-old took on the challenge to raise money for Harleston Sancroft Academy and its bid to renovate a pond area at the School Lane site. He raised £500.
The pond area, located between the school office and lower playground, had become overgrown and inaccessible – and was in need of a little tender loving care.
Thanks to Brockdish Waveney Volunteers for Nature, Harleston Round Table and landscaper Shaw Things, the site has been cleared and enclosed with a new fence.
The next phase for the pond, which is home to a number of frogs and ducks, is to replace a wooden platform, which will be called ‘Finley’s Bridge’ in his honour.
Beverley Beaumont, early years lead at the school, said: “We are very lucky to have wonderful school grounds, which incorporate a wooded area, hay meadow and pond area, enabling wildlife to flourish.
“Our aim with the pond is to enhance the biodiversity within our school grounds and educate the children on understanding their role in nature recovery.”
Over the summer holidays, families will be building bird boxes, bee houses and hedgehog homes.
