How the simple act of going out for a walk could help raise awareness for the Prince’s Countryside Fund
National Countryside Week is run by The Prince’s Countryside Fund to raise awareness of the importance of the countryside to the UK. What makes the Fund unique is that it doesn’t support the environment, buildings or wildlife but the people who manage and maintain the countryside. HRH The Prince of Wales recognised the crisis facing our rural communities and as a result set up The Prince’s Countryside Fund to provide support to the multitude of remarkable organizations and indiv iduals working tirelessly to keep farmers farming and our rural communities alive.In 2014 we are asking people to Walk a Country Mile to raise awareness to support our greatest national asset ‘the countryside’. The Prince’s Countryside Fund is asking businesses, community groups, villages, families and individuals to walk together, to consider, reflect, appreciate, contemplate and celebrate the countryside.
“The British countryside is the unacknowledged backbone of our national identity. It is as precious as any of our great cathedrals and we erode it at our peril. Taking a short nature walk will make us mindful of the importance of the countryside, and give us pause to consider how we support those who live and work there.”
How to get involved:
Walking is simple and easy – you could go for a walk in your loc al park or v isit your nearest National Park. You could take a walk around your loc al v illage or head to the hills and explore some of our amazing natural scener y. Ideally you w ill get a small group together and download one our
online maps so you c an explore your loc al countr yside. A countr y mile c an be any distance (!) so if you only make it to the local village pub or undertake a 12 mile hike ever yone can achieve something.
To register your support for the charity and to donate please sign up at www.princescountrysidefund.org.uk once you have signed up you will you receive an email w ith maps, ideas, tips and suggestions plus information on where your donation w ill go and who we are helping.
The public can make a donation online at Virgin Giving at the Post Office or by text.
Text PCF to 70300 and a £3 donation will be made to The Prince’s Countryside Fund.
What else is happening?
If you would prefer to join an existing walk and see some of the great work being supported by the charity then please join one of our Project Walks. Held across the UK a number of the organisations and charities supported by The Prince’s Countryside Fund are holding a series of sponsored walks throughout National Countryside Week. Please see further details at www.princescountrysidefund.org.ukAlternatively we are hosting a series of ‘Celebrity Country Mile’ walks at the CLA Game Fair at Blenheim Palace. If you would like to join a guided walk by one of our celebrity Ambassadors make sure you attend the Game Fair this year and join up.
In addition to this Waitrose will be running their in store promotion offering 25% off supporting company brands such as Jordans, McVities and Duchy Originals - ideal for a picnic on your walk.
