5 minute read
Celebrating a year of Foundation fundraising like no other
The healing power of
NATURE
From post-war recovery to the tentative easing of Covid-19 restrictions, the countryside remains as important as ever to our health and wellbeing. In these challenging times, our landscapes are themselves in need of care and attention – and the Peak District National Park Foundation is helping us all to give something back.
The creation of national parks was a key part of Britain’s recovery following the Second World War. Now, as the Peak District celebrates its 70th birthday, national parks again have a crucial role to play in the nation’s recovery, this time from the ravages of Covid-19.
The pandemic has highlighted the importance of the countryside and nature for our health and wellbeing. But our treasured landscapes themselves need love and care... and that’s where we come in.
The Peak District National Park Foundation registered with the Charity Commission in 2019 and raises funds for conservation and engagement projects across the Peak District.
Our ambitious inaugural fundraising campaign – #70kfor70 – set out to raise £70,000 to mark the Peak District’s 70th birthday as the UK’s first national park.
And, as we celebrate this milestone anniversary, we’re thrilled to report that the campaign has raised £130,000 – and has already funded some vital projects.
We’ve contributed to conservation programmes such as moorland restoration through Moors for the Future, heathland restoration at Stanage Edge and conservation work on the Monsal Trail. We’ve kitted out the Peak District’s junior rangers, supported access improvements with Miles Without Stiles and supported Peak District Mosaic, a charity which works to make the national park more accessible to people from Black and Minority Ethnic (BAME) communities. We’ve also funded Fit For Work, enabling offenders on licence to develop conservation skills.
But #70kfor70 is just the start.
As more people discover the Peak District, we need to inspire them to Explore, Enjoy and Support their national park – to leave it in a better condition for future generations.
We want to see more land managed for wildlife, more rare habitats protected and more people able to enjoy their national park responsibly. With 555 square miles to cover, this isn’t a small task but, with over 13 million visitors each year and thousands of businesses, we hope to inspire more and more people to support our important work.
The Peak District National Park Foundation continues to work hard to secure and direct goodwill to places where it can make a real difference.
Foundation chair Jen Lowthrop says: “The Covid-19 pandemic has been a challenging time for everyone and, like most charities, our fundraising has taken a hit. However, we’ve been inspired and humbled during these difficult times by the continued generosity of people, who have helped us to reach our first major fundraising target – and more.
“The Peak District’s 70th birthday is a time to reflect and also to look ahead. Without the protections of a National Park designation, the Peak District would look very different. Nevertheless, there are some massive challenges and we have a long list of conservation, nature recovery and engagement projects which need funding. We can all help by being #PeakDistrictProud, enjoying the National Park responsibly and, if you can, by donating. There are lots of ways you can play your part, from monthly donations to fundraising for us. Working together, we can realise our vision of a National Park enjoyed and conserved by everyone.”
Visit www.peakdistrictfoundation.org. uk to find out how you can help.
Team members from White Peak Planning at work with the Peak Park Conservation Volunteers.
Want to be a Peak Partner?
Could your business help to look after the National Park by becoming one of our Peak Partners?
In return for an annual membership fee, you’ll receive our exclusive Supporter Logo to show your customers that you care about the Peak District National Park.
There’s a bronze, silver or gold package to choose from – all tailored to suit the size of your business – and a bespoke platinum Peak Partnership for larger businesses.
All our Peak Partners have the chance to see the difference their support is making by spending time in the Peak District with National Park rangers.
We’d like to give a big welcome to our new Peak Partners:
• White Peak Planning • Peak District Kids • Beyond the Edge • Peak Mountaineering • PAF Consultants • Feel Good Do Good
For more information about how you can align your company to the work of the Foundation visit
www.peakdistrictfoundation.org.uk/ peak-partners
The restoration work carried out at Black Hill.
Before After
The Big Give Christmas Challenge
Thanks to our generous supporters, we smashed the Restore Our Moors fundraising target as part of The Big Give Christmas Challenge.
The challenge was to raise £4,000 in match-funded donations from 1st-8th December but, thanks to donors across the country, a total of £4,872 was raised.
This money will fund vital moorland restoration work in the Peak District National Park, including the planting of hundreds of sphagnum moss plugs. Sphagnum moss is a major weapon in the fight against climate change as it absorbs and locks up carbon from the atmosphere.
Thomas Bateman and his Sons by
Thomas Joseph Banks. PHOTO: MUSEUMS SHEFFIELD
Thomas Bateman
Derbyshire Archaeology Day in February raised more than £1,800 for the Foundation. The money raised will help us to restore the tomb of renowned antiquarian, Thomas Bateman, in Middleton-by-Youlgrave.
This year’s Derbyshire Archaeology Day was hosted virtually by the Peak District National Park Authority and Derbyshire County Council. Attendees to the free event were invited to donate £7 to the Foundation in lieu of the usual ticket price.
Monthly donations
One of the easiest ways for you to help us care for the Peak District National Park is to give a regular donation. Having monthly supporters means we can support long term conservation and engagement programmes. Nature recovery won’t happen overnight but with your commitment we can plan for a National Park that is enjoyed and conserved by everyone.
It’s quick and easy to do through the link below. If you are a UK taxpayer, you can add gift aid and the government will add 25% to your donation at no cost to you. Set up your donation in a few simple steps here– https://peakdistrict.
enthuse.com/donate
Keep in touch
• Sign up to the e-newsletter –
www.peakdistrictfoundation.org. uk/contact/
• Donate – Text ‘Donate peak 1’ to 88802 and you will receive a text back asking you to confirm how much you would like to give • Follow us on social media
