The South West Coast Path Association has created a new role, appointing a new Business Development Manager to work alongside businesses that want to support and get involved with one of the region’s most valuable assets.
Esther Pearson, of South Milton, has joined the South West Coast Path Association, which is based in Ivybridge, in order to help build upon their coastal heritage work and develop business partnerships to support the 630-miles of stunning coast path which encircles the entire South West Peninsula. As part of this, she is now inviting businesses to partner with the charity during 2014 to deliver some vital path improvements and protect this great tourism asset through the South West Coast Path Association’s flagship event — The Great South West Walks. Esther says: “Recent research has shown that during 2012, the Coast Path had 8.6million users across the South West which have generated around £436million to the area, an increase of almost 15 per cent in the past three years — helping support 9,771 full-time equivalent jobs.
“Because of this, it is a vital economic asset to the tourism industry in the South West — and is why we are looking for businesses to be involved by becoming a sponsor.” Esther has considerable experience as a successful charity fundraiser with her most recent role with Surf Life Saving GB, a charity which helps to make beaches across Great Britain safer, providing beach lifeguard training and patrols. Esther progressed to Chief Executive Officer for the charity and was responsible for helping the organisation to double in size, reaching more people than ever before. She is now looking forward to working on the South West Coast Path, which is part of the National Trails, recognised as one of the UK’s favourite walks and among the greatest long distance hikes in the world. The sponsorship packages she has developed include opportunities to benefit from various marketing returns, align businesses with the Coast Path’s brand, benefit from associated news, web and social media exposure, as well as getting involved in one of the South West’s biggest mass participation events. The Great South West Walks 2014, taking place from 20th–28th September, aims to see 1,500 people taking part in 100 guided sponsored walks of various lengths, to suit all types of walkers — many will be themed to include heritage, wildlife and family friendly walks. The event aims to secure £250,000; with £125,000 through individual participants’ sponsorship and businesses’ support, alongside £125,000 of matched funding through grant making organisations. For further information regarding how your business can benefit from supporting the South West Coast Path please email esther@swcp.org.uk or call 07786 330242. If you would like to find out more about the work of the South West Coast Path Association, or if you are interested in taking part in the Great South West Walks 2014, please visit southwestcoastpath.org.uk.
