Our COO team took part in a tree planting day with our News Corp Giving charity partners Trees for Cities, at Ashton Playing Fields in Woodford, Essex.

The team planted 1800 trees across the day, to help block out the M11 motorway from the sports fields and increase the biodiversity of the area. The total number of trees planted was more than any other group has planted for Trees for Cities in one day.

Apprentice Haafsah Bepari is in her first two weeks at News UK. Haafsah told us how she met new people during the day and used the day to get to know the team.

The day was set up as a mini competition with teams competing on how many trees planted, best item of clothing in their team colour and first team on site and ready to go.

News UK HR Director Sarah Gallo tells us about the competition and how everyone was a winner.

Our News Environment Lead, Elsa Gregori told us what she learnt from the day including the importance of using mulch to protect the trees as they grow.

You can read more about Trees for Cities on their website and join one of their existing volunteer days and see more photos of the day below.