Anglesey entrepreneur is named ‘Entrepreneur For Good’ 2022:

Anglesey-based Frankie Hobro the owner and Director of Anglesey Sea Zoo has been recognised as one of this year’s most exceptional business leaders at the Great British Entrepreneur Awards Grand Final in November.

Frankie, the Owner and Director of Anglesey Sea Zoo & Marine Resource Centre limited won Entrepreneur for Good 2022.

The Anglesey Sea Zoo & Marine Resource Centre is an all-native marine aquarium with an entirely natural seawater supply directly from the Menai Strait. Frankie has transformed the business into a unique exclusively British aquarium, housing and specialising in captive breeding of endangered native species for reintroduction into the wild, including both species of endangered British seahorses and spiny lobsters. Frankie has become a sustainability and conservation champion by leading by example in positive environmental change, influencing the local and wider community, engaging the public and carrying out regular community beach cleans and voluntary marine animal rescue activities.

The programme, in partnership with Starling Bank, has recognised the UK’s most inspiring entrepreneurial success stories for a decade and developed a community-oriented network of alumni which grows year after year.

The ceremony was held at Grosvenor House in London and saw 1,400 entrepreneurs and colleagues join together to celebrate a collective £2 billion generated in turnover and over 17,000 jobs.

One of the judges, James Taylor, said: “Frankie has shown great resilience and passion to build her dream in her local community”.

This award is for making a positive difference, leading by example and being an inspiration to others. It acknowledges the dedication and care that Frankie and her team have given to sustainability and environmental issues, not-for-profit work within their local community, conservation and animal rescue.

Frankie said: “I am extremely proud of this award as it isn’t just about profits, it is about making a positive difference to individuals, the community and the environment. Inspiring and encouraging others and leading by example have always been extremely important to me and it is wonderful that my long-term efforts in conservation work and sustainability are paying off”.

Flintshire primary schools open their doors to care for Foster Bear

Primary schools across Flintshire have welcomed Foster Bear into their classrooms, a new campaign launched by Foster Wales Flintshire to promote fostering.

The Foster Bear campaign aims to raise awareness of local authority fostering and outline the urgency to recruit more foster carers in Flintshire.

Foster Bear is part of the fostering team and is joining primary schools across Flintshire to take part in daily activities with the children in class. Children in years 3 and 4 will be given the opportunity to take Foster Bear home for a weekend during which they will look after and care for the bear. They will also receive a Foster Bear Booklet full of fun activities to do in class and to record their weekend adventures.

The children’s families will also have the opportunity to participate in this campaign by sharing photos and stories on social media of how Foster Bear has adapted to life with their new family, using the hashtag #fosterbear.

Flintshire’s Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Social Services and Wellbeing, Councillor Christine Jones, said:

“It’s great to work with Foster Wales and local primary schools on this excellent initiative to encourage a greater understanding and awareness of the benefits of fostering.

I hope that the children will enjoy caring for Foster Bear and find the activities engaging.”

Ysgol Y Waun is one of the first schools to open their doors to Foster Bear, Louise Ankers, Headteacher said:

“We were privileged to launch this initiative at our school with visitors from Foster Wales, Flintshire Social Services and some of our Governors. Our children were very engaged during a whole school assembly where they shared their current knowledge about fostering, learnt new facts and asked very thought-provoking questions.”