Supporter of the week: Caroline Eccles

Hannah Booth

15 September 2011

To celebrate Friends of the Earth's 40th anniversary, I've been talking to some of the supporters who've made it all possible. Caroline Eccles (right) discovered her passion for her home town after winning a Friends of the Earth competition.

"A short film I made with my partner about a beauty spot in Accrington changed my life.

"I decided to enter Friends of the Earth's One Minute Film competition in 2008. I've always loved film, and I studied media.

"The competition's brief was 'Which bit of the Earth are you a friend of?' It instantly made me think of Winberry Hill where I used to go berry picking with my mum.

I wanted to show it isn't so grim up north: the hill is full of wild flowers, butterflies, bumble bees and berries. 

"After we won, we decided to set up our own film company, Huckleberry Films.

"I gave up my day job, and we're now lucky enough to pick and choose our projects - we're currently making a documentary with disadvantaged children from Liverpool.

"But I'm most passionate about Accrington. With my local Friends of the Earth group, we try to encourage people to shop locally, take local walks, grow their own veg.

"It's really important to feel part of your local community."

Why not get involved with your local community?

Next week: Eva Holmes. To see all the supporters I've interviewed, visit our 40th anniversary gallery. Hannah Booth also writes Lives Less Ordinary.