News Staff
Published May 24, 2018 at 8:00 am (Updated May 24, 2018 at 3:37 am)

Face time: Mount Saint Agnes students hold a tag sale to raise money
to help Bermuda’s struggling toad population

Pupils from a convent school are helping Bermuda’s struggling toad population.

Grade 3 pupils at Mount St Agnes Academy jumped into action after Bermuda Zoological Society educator Jamie Bacon visited them to explain how polluted pond conditions across the island were causing deformities in toads.

They reacted by setting up a “Toad-ally Terrific” event to raise more than $1,300 for the BZS’s Amphibian Project.

The cash will be spent on bubble machines, which can reverse the damaging effects in ponds.

The fundraising event, organised by teachers Jennifer Chisnall and Mary Moulder, included a bake sale, photo booth, raffle, games and a sale of the pupils’ own donated toys, games and books.

Each pupil also developed a toad-themed game for visiting classes to play, with some of the games created using recycled materials.

Dr Bacon said: “I was amazed to see how inventive the children were in creating games to raise money for the Amphibian Project.

“I sure enjoyed playing their games and very much appreciate their fundraising efforts.

“We will use their donation to determine if hydrocarbon-eating bacteria live in the polluted pond that our protected diamondback terrapins feed in and to help us clean up that pond.”