Catherine Fookes MP recently visited Monmouth Comprehensive School to meet with the school’s Eco Council and speak to year 7 students about the urgent need to clean up local rivers.

Catherine Fookes has been an MP since 2024 and has been helping raise and look at issues or concerns people in the community have.

Monmouth Comprehensive School invited Catherine Fookes following her ongoing campaign to clean up and protect the River Wye and Usk.

During Ms Fookes’ visit she spoke to students about the progress of her campaign so far, including the development and passing of the Water (special measures) Bill and securing £1 million of investment to help restore the Wye.

Students at MCS then took part in a lively activity to come up with a slogan for their own river campaign.

“I was really impressed by the passion and knowledge of the students at Monmouth Comprehensive,” she said.

“It’s clear they care deeply about the environment and our rivers, and it was inspiring to speak to some of the students and hear more about their ideas on how we can all do more to protect our rivers.”

As part of their own efforts, students also raised an impressive £225 through a school bake sale with all proceeds going to Friends of the River Wye, an organisation working to protect and restore the river.

“There fundraising efforts show just how much these young people care about our rivers and want to make a real difference. It gives me real hope for the future.” Said Catherine.

As the Labour MP for Monmouthshire, Catherine Fookes continues to lead on her campaign to clean up our rivers lobbying the UK and Welsh Government and Welsh Water, working with environmental organisations and urging authorities to take urgent action.