AN environmental charity received a £33,000 boost from the Royal Wedding of William and Kate to help teachers pass on lessons about climate change.

Earthwatch, which is based in Summertown, was among 26 charities chosen by the Royal couple to benefit from cash donated by the public instead of wedding gifts last April.

Staff at Earthwatch held a party at their Banbury Road office to celebrate the Royal Wedding in April.

During the past five years, Earthwatch has been working in Wytham Woods with staff from HSBC Bank to help them conduct field research and develop strategies to combat climate change.

The Royal Wedding cash will help the charity to establish a new programme for teachers from state schools across the Thames Valley.

Earthwatch executive vice president Nigel Winser said: “We are very excited to receive this generous donation from the Royal Wedding gift fund, and to have the opportunity to get our Climate Change for Teachers programme off the ground in the summer.

“We are looking forward to working with 10 outstanding teachers from state schools across the Upper Thames region of Oxfordshire.

“Our programme will help them inspire their students – the next generation of environmental leaders – to take action to tackle climate change.”

Earthwatch spokesman Jo-Anne Croft added: “The 10 teachers who take part in the programme will learn about climate change through practical scientific research led by Earthwatch scientists, into how forests are reacting to a changing climate.

“They will also discuss ideas and create teaching resources to take back what they learn to their students and classrooms.”

Ms Croft added that she hoped Wytham Woods would be one of the research locations for the new programme.

The Royal Wedding Charitable Gift Fund raised a total of at least £1m for the 26 charities.

Contributions to the fund were also raised from wedding-related projects including a donation by Decca Records from the sales of the official Royal Wedding album.

A spokesman for St James’s Palace said that the chosen charities had a “particular resonance” for the Royal couple and reflected issues they were interested in.

She added: “Their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are delighted that these charities were able to benefit so positively from their special day.

“They would like to thank everyone who contributed so generously to the charitable fund and for all the kindness and support shown to them throughout the wedding period.”

Donations from individuals across the globe raise about £1m a year for Earthwatch.