Island Roads staff have been working with the Wight Squirrel Project to help preserve and enhance a woodland sanctuary.

In support of Red Squirrel Week (October 6-12), Island Roads volunteers have made valuable improvements to squirrel-friendly reserves at Howes Wood in Harding Shute at the outskirts of Ryde.

At Howes Woods, Island Roads kindly donated four heavy-duty drainage pipes, each two metres long, to help the trust create stable and discreet bridges across the ditches that run through woodland.

Previously, trust volunteers had to balance on logs to cross the ditches, which was not ideal, especially when carrying tools or working in wet weather.

Sean from Island Roads delivered the pipes, and stalwart volunteer Rod and trust founder and chairwoman Helen Butler MBE headed down with the necessary machinery to get them into place.

With the digger’s help, each pipe was carefully laid into its ditch and covered with soil.

And this week, Island Roads workers Tom and Rich undertook some trail clearing work to provide better access for conservation and educational visits to Howes Wood which has been bought by the project to provide carefully managed habitat.

Helen said: “As a small charity we rely very heavily on the support of the Island community and we are so pleased with the practical help that Island Roads has provided. Their assistance has provided a real boost to the project – and of course the red squirrel population on the Island.”

The Island Roads help has been provided through the company’s volunteering scheme under which staff are encouraged to take two days paid leave each year to support Island good causes.