The Camping and Caravanning Club has partnered with The British Mountaineering Council (BMC) to light up the Great Ridge in the Peak District National Park to raise awareness of the Mend Our Mountains: Make One Million appeal and launch National Camping and Caravanning Week (NCCW), the Club’s annual celebration of camping, caravanning, motorhoming and the great outdoors.
As part of the Club’s commitment to help improve access to the countryside for its almost 750,000 members, it has teamed up with the BMC on the Mend Our Mountains: Make One Million appeal, which aims to raise £1 million to repair paths in the UK’s 15 National Parks and is backed by Cotswold Outdoor and Snow+Rock.
And with more than half of campers in the West Midlands enjoying walking more than any other activity when on holiday and 95% reporting positive benefits from walking on their health and wellbeing, the latest Club research paints a rosy picture for walking in the region.
Julia Bradbury, Club President and TV presenter, said: “I have a passion for the outdoors and exploring the UK’s best walks – and it’s great to hear that fellow campers do too!
“I’m really impressed that nearly half of campers in the West Midlands told us they get out for a three to four mile walk at least once a month. If that sounds a bit much though, a short stroll just a few minutes from loads of our campsites will often be enough to catch some stunning views, especially at dawn and dusk.”
Robert Louden MBE, Director General at The Camping and Caravanning Club, said: “Walking and hiking are hugely popular with campers as activities to enjoy with family and friends.
“The Club was one of the original founding members of the BMC and we are extremely pleased to be supporting the Mend Our Mountains appeal, which is doing vital work to ensure we both protect our countryside and provide good, sustainable access to it. We’d like to thank our many volunteers and supporters involved with the Great Ridge Light Night, and also our many partners including our head torch sponsors, Robens and Vango.”
The Mend Our Mountains: Make One Million appeal features two projects in the Peak District National Park: the Great Ridge and Cut Gate. To donate and learn more visit www.mendmountains.thebmc.co.uk.
Club research also revealed that 55% of campers in the West Midlands say sturdy walking boots and waterproof jackets are their essential pieces of walking kit.
