Combined attempt to reduce damage by outdoor fundraising events
Howard Lake | 11 June 2003 | News
The National Trust, the National Park Authorities, and The Institute of Fundraising are working together to try and limit the damage done through some outdoor charity fundraising events.
Many outdoor fundraising events raise funds but at considerable cost to the environment, especially in areas of outstanding natural beauty. In particular during the summer months the Three Peaks event run in Snowdonia, the Lake District and Ben Nevis causes considerable disruption to local people and adds to the environmental pressures on the parks.
For these reasons the Institute of Fundraising introduced its Code of Fundraising Practice on Outdoor Challenge Events in the UK. This highlights the need to avoid challenge events that take place over weekends during the summer months. The Institute has already been successful in persuading two large charities not to run their events at that time of year and has the stated objective of keeping the main summer months totally clear.
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Lindsay Boswell, Chief Executive of the Institute of Fundraising said: “The Institute of Fundraising provides the Standards through its series of Codes of Fundraising Practice. The Code of Fundraising Practice on Challenge Events informs charities how to run these types of events successfully without causing congestion and environmental problems in places such as the Lake District.
“Despite this many events are still being planned. It is our intention to write to the organisers and charities involved and ask them to pledge not to repeat these events next year. All event organisers have a duty of care to plan events that do not either damage the environment or the name of charity.
“There are many examples of charities that have taken these messages on board and changed their ways. Many of them have managed to be a little more creative and invented more interesting and exciting events that have added originality.”
The Lake District National Park Authority’s Head of Park Management, Bob Cartwright, said: “I would always encourage people to take part in raising money for worthwhile charities, and to come to the National Park to experience its special qualities – but not at the same time!
There is clear evidence now that these type of large-scale charity challenges are having a serious detrimental impact on our villages and their environment. These isolated communities simply don’t have the necessary facilities to cater for such large numbers of walkers and runners who arrive en masse through the summer months.”
The National Trust Web site states that “The National Trust, the John Muir Trust, Snowdonia and Lake District National Park Authorities and the Highland Council ask all participants to follow the Code of Practice for Outdoor Fundraising Events developed by the Institute of Fundraising when embarking on the Challenge. The Code of Practice lists important do’s and don’ts when planning any challenge, and was written in consultation with a range of groups including the National Park Authorities and the National Trust.”
The Institute’s Code of Practice on Fundraising was published in 1999, and was written in consultation with the National Parks Authorities and the National Trust and is adhered by a large number of charities.
The Code of Fundraising Practice on Outdoor Fundraising Events in the UK states: “Organisers of events who knowingly encourage excessive numbers in areas of environmental sensitivity are irresponsible. The impact on local residents, roads, other users, facilities, footpaths and wildlife can be so adverse as to bring their charity into disrepute, and risks the future reputation of challenge events as a form of fundraising.”
About Howard Lake
Howard Lake is consultant editor of UK Fundraising. He founded the site in 1994 and successfully sold it in 2022. As director of Giving X Ltd he is exploring growing giving on a massive scale.
He is the founder of Fundraising Camp and co-founder of GoodJobs.