Eurostar and the Young People’s Trust for the Environment launch national competition to recognise young environmental champions

2013-02-04 — /travelprnews.com/ — Eurostar, the high-speed passenger rail service linking the UK with mainland Europe, today opens entries for its Have your say on sustainability competition, giving young people the chance to share their views with MEPs in Brussels.

For the second year running, Eurostar and national charity ‘the Young People’s Trust for the Environment’ are inviting 11-18 year olds to produce a short video clip sharing their views on sustainable travel and the environment. Five young environmental champions will be chosen to win a truly unique prize:

• A trip to the European Parliament in Brussels to share  their views with MEPs
• £250 vouchers for their school to spend on technology equipment at Curry’s or PC World
• One overall winner, drawn at random, will receive a three day stay at Disneyland Paris for four people

Last year the competition was hailed a great success, with contestants speaking enthusiastically of the “brilliant opportunity to get involved” and MEPs describing the experience as a “real wake up call”. A short film telling the story of the 2012 European Parliament visit can be seen here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FU6NUSnAxZ8

Have your say on sustainability is part of Eurostar’s three-year partnership with the Young People’s Trust for the Environment -a national charity encouraging young people’s understanding of the environment and the need for sustainability, that also supports free, accessible education on environmental issues for young people and schools. This partnership forms an important part of Eurostar’s own Tread Lightly programme of initiatives, designed to reduce the business’ impact on the environment and to encourage people to think differently about travel.

Peter Bragg, Head of Environment and Energy at Eurostar commented: “Last year we were blown away by the quality of entries and the strength of views that young people chose to share with us. We enjoyed a really memorable trip to the European Parliament, and we’re proud to offer more young people the opportunity to have their say on sustainability this year.”

Peter Littlewood, Director of the Young People’s Trust for the Environment said:“We are really grateful to Eurostar for giving young people this brilliant opportunity to share there views on environmental issues with Europe’s key decision makers. I really hope that we can repeat, and maybe even surpass the eloquence and knowledge demonstrated by entrants in last year’s competition.”

The competition runs from today (4^th February) until the 10^th March. For more information on how to enter, visit: www.eurostar.com/ypte

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Notes to Editors:

About Eurostar
1. Eurostar is the high-speed train service linking St Pancras International, Ebbsfleet International, Ashford International, Paris, Brussels, Lille, Calais, Disneyland Resort Paris, Avignon and the French Alps.

2. Eurostar was established in 1994 as a partnership between three railway companies: SNCF, SNCB and LCR (London and Continental Railways).  On 1 September 2010, Eurostar became a single, unified corporate entity owned by three shareholders: SNCF, SNCB and LCR.

3. The current Eurostar train was first introduced into service in 1994 carrying 750 passengers and operating at speeds of up to 300kph.  Since then, the fleet of 28 trains has carried more than 130 million passengers between London and the Continent.  Following their refurbishment these trains will continue to form a core part of the Eurostar fleet.

4. Eurostar is a founder member of Railteam, a partnership between Europe’s leading high-speed train operators that is developing simpler ways to book and travel on the fast-expanding, European high-speed rail network.

5. Eurostar and Eurotunnel are entirely separate companies.  Eurostar operates high-speed passenger trains, while Eurotunnel operates vehicle shuttle services and the Channel Tunnel itself. Eurostar is Eurotunnel’s biggest customer.

For more information:

Eurostar Press Office
020 7843 5500
press.office@eurostar.co.uk

About The Young People’s Trust for the Environment
The Young People’s Trust for the Environment (YPTE) is a registered charity that was established in 1982. Its aim is to create a better future by inspiring young people to look after our world

www.ypte.org.uk
01935 385962
Registered Charity number 284885

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