News

Generous businesses are supporting Peak District hiker Jen Lowthrop as she bids to raise £10,000 over 10 weeks by walking 1000 miles across English national parks.

Jen, who is chair of trustees for the Peak District National Park Foundation, begins her epic trip – to fund vital conservation and wellbeing projects – on 19 August.

A Walk In The Parks begins in Northumberland and will take in routes across North York Moors, Yorkshire Dales, Lake District, South Downs, New Forest, Dartmoor and Exmoor National Parks. Halfway through, Jen will swap walking boots for a canoe – to traverse parts of the Broads National Park. The final leg of her trip will be the Peak District, from 20 to 28 October.

Throughout the 1000-mile journey, Jen will meet key people to learn more about what makes each national park special and why they need to be protected.

Her challenge has won the support of many businesses, including Alpkit, which has a store in Peak District village Hathersage. While Jen is raising money for the Peak District Park Foundation, the Alpkit Foundation is offering £10,000 in match funding to benefit grassroots projects across all 10 English national parks.

She is also partnering with navigation and route planning app Komoot. Jen will share all her routes across each national park on the app, so others can follow in her footsteps.

Jen, who writes the travel blog She Gets Around, will be joined on the trip by her rescue dog, Cookie.

She says: “I can’t believe the time to start walking is almost here. Cookie and I have done as much training as we can, but this length of walking is going to be a whole new experience! Fingers crossed I keep the blisters away as long as possible.

“I have been blown away by the support the hike is already receiving and I’ll be meeting an incredible mix of people and projects in each park. I will be learning more about the work community groups and charities are doing to protect our national parks and ensure they are inclusive to everyone.

“I am going to learn so much and am thrilled to be partnering with Alpkit and Komoot. The match funding £10,000 grant pot from the Alpkit Foundation is absolutely brilliant and I can’t wait to learn more about the difference the funding can bring to the work happening in grassroots groups in the national parks.

“I will be sharing all my routes on Komoot app too, so others can experience the joy of walking across our national parks.”

Alpkit Foundation director Colin Stocker adds: “There’s a great synergy between the Alpkit Foundation and Jen’s outlook for her challenge. We know how national parks can play a vital role in introducing and teaching people about the importance and benefits of time outdoors and the natural world.

“By supporting Jen on her challenge we really want to help highlight further the important work going on within all 10 National Parks around England. We will be doing this by matching her fundraising efforts for the Peak District National Park Foundation by providing a £10,000 fund for grass roots projects happening in national parks that address accessibility, wellbeing, and tackling climate change and its impacts.

“In November, after Jen’s walk, we will be selecting two projects from each of England’s 10 national parks and awarding them with a £500 grant each to support the work they are doing.”

Jen is being supported by many other businesses including Peak Cottages, Danner Boots and Unique Hideaways. Her accommodation throughout the trip will include camping, staying with locals and hotels and B&Bs, thanks to her sponsors.

For more details visit: https://awalkintheparks.co.uk

Donate link: https://peakdistrict.enthuse.com/pf/a-walk-in-the-parks

For Alpkit Foundation details, visit:  https://alpkit.com/pages/foundation