The BMC is proud to announce that four months since its public launch, the Mend Our Mountains: Make One Million appeal has passed the one third mark, having raised over £330,000 so far.

The appeal, which is generously supported by headline sponsors Cotswold Outdoor and Snow+Rock, is on track for its £1 million target with eight months still to go. The money will go into the repair and restoration of some of Britain’s most popular – and heavily eroded – footpaths on the likes of Scafell Pike, Cader Idris, the Yorkshire Three Peaks, Beinn a’ Ghlo and the South Downs Way, supporting sustainable walking routes for future generations to enjoy.

As well as receiving enthusiastic support and donations from hundreds of outdoor enthusiasts, one project within the appeal has recently been boosted by a £40,000 pledge of support from the Oglesby Charitable Trust, which supports projects which have a positive social and environmental impact in the North West of England.

Headline sponsors Cotswold Outdoor and Snow+Rock have been drumming up support by hosting collection boxes and publicity material in 110 stores and sites across Britain.

The appeal has also benefitted recently from the £9,000 proceeds of the Trail magazine gear sale at Keswick Mountain Festival and support from a variety of outdoor brands and businesses including Vango, Fjallraven, Hanwag, Trekkit and The Outdoor Guide, which have been brought together on the Mend Our Mountains: Make One Million appeal website today.

The Mend Our Mountains cause has also attracted support from some unexpected but very welcome places. Visitors to the Hampton Court Flower show last week, for example, were met with a Mend Our Mountains-themed garden endorsed by Julia Bradbury and designed by TV celebrity David Domoney. The appeal received a sizeable donation from Everest Windows, who sponsored the garden.

The @BMC_Walk charity feature for the Celebrity Theatre. This design is hard, rugged, & dominated by towering chunks of rough-hewn granite, serving as signature feature stones evocative of our rocky mountainsides.

Thanks @EverestHome @Pavestone & @longrakespar for your help. pic.twitter.com/SvJpgV0sY8

— David Domoney (@daviddomoney) July 2, 2018

Groundswell

The profile of Mend Our Mountains: Make One Million has shot up since the success of the ’Great Ridge Light Night’ back in May. Run in partnership with the Camping and Caravanning Club and hosting ‘Wainright Walks’ and Countryfile presenter Julia Bradbury, it saw more than 600 volunteers illuminate one of Britain’s most iconic landscapes, raising awareness and cash at the same time.

A major crowdfunding push in the autumn will help the appeal to continue to climb towards its target while maintaining public engagement, as work continues behind the scenes to secure further large-scale support from businesses, individuals and charities.

At the same time, many supporters of the campaign are taking part in fundraising challenges around the country, such as BMC member Richard Duckworth’s ‘Dirty Dozen’ challenge to walk all the  projects supported by the appeal, demonstrating the groundswell of support for Mend Our Mountains: Make One Million.

Milestone

Matthew Bradbury, chair of the BMC Access and Conservation Trust, said:“Mend Our Mountains: Make One Million is really moving up through the gears, and hitting this milestone is a big boost. The total we have raised so far ranges from fivers given by individual outdoor enthusiasts to donations in the tens of thousands from businesses and charitable foundations, and everything inbetween. All donations are valuable.

“Raising money is important because fixing the problem of path erosion in the hills and mountains is not cheap. When you factor in stone airlifts, skilled labour and remote locations, it can cost as much as £200 per metre or more.

“But this appeal is also about bringing the outdoor community together and showing our appreciation for the places we walk, run, ride, ramble or climb in. Get involved by rallying your friends and family; organise fundraising activities with your group, club or outdoor buddies; spread the word as far as you can.”

DONATE: Give to Mend Our Mountains: Make One Million

Mend Our Mountains: what's it all about? 

• Mend Our Mountains: Make One Million is coordinated by the BMC and its charity, the BMC Access and Conservation Trust, and run in conjunction with a coalition of over 25 organisations, including all the UK’s National Parks, major businesses and charities, and local user groups. Headline sponsorship is generously provided by Cotswold Outdoor and Snow+Rock.

• A host of other charitable and business supporters are backing Mend Our Mountains: Make One Million. As of today these can be viewed by navigating to the relevant pages from the appeal homepage.

• Erosion is a growing problem in Britain’s hills and mountains as visitor numbers grow and the budgets of National Park Authorities and other relevant bodies shrink. Repeated footfall causes the ground underfoot to erode, creating ugly scars with the potential to seriously damage the surrounding environment. The costs of sourcing materials, airlifting stone to remote locations and paying for specialist contractors can push the cost up to as much as £200 per metre.

• The campaign launched to the public in March 2018 and will run until March 2019. It is comprised of thirteen ‘primary’ projects in eleven UK National Parks (National Parks without a primary project will receive cash support at a lower level) and focuses on some of the most popular walking destinations across Britain, aiming to turn heavily eroded trails into sustainable routes for future generations to enjoy.

• Mend Our Mountains: Make One Million has already far surpassed the £100,000 raised by the first Mend Our Mountains campaign in 2016. That campaign funded eight projects in National Parks and used only crowdfunding to reach the required total. Mend Our Mountains: Make One Million is using a wide range of fundraising methods.

We want to say a big thanks to every BMC member who continues to support us through the Coronavirus crisis.

From weekly Facebook Lives and GB Climbing home training videos, to our access team working to re-open the crags and fight for your mountain access, we couldn’t do it without you.

Did you know that we've just launched a new U27 membership offer for just £1.50 / month? And with full membership from £2.50 / month, it's never been easier to join and support our work: 

https://www.thebmc.co.uk/join-the-bmc-for-1-month-U27-membership

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