The current changes in how we get out and about are reminding us all of the value we place on our local parks and green spaces. As a charity, our work to protect, champion and support these green spaces for good relies on the support of amazing people, from businesses and charitable trusts to individual park users.
These unprecedented times mean that many charities, Fields in Trust included, are missing out on vital donations that fundraising events such as the Virgin Money London Marathon provide. Thousands of events have been cancelled or postponed recently, leading to the loss of billions of pounds in income across the charity sector. The London Marathon, which was due to take place this weekend, raised £66.4 million alone for thousands of charities in 2019.
Recently we have been helping you to enjoy some of the benefits that parks and green spaces provide from home by Bringing Parks to You. Our virtual tour is exploring beautiful parks across the UK at a time when we are all more restricted in our abilities to get out and enjoy everything these places have to offer. Just this week we have launched our new pack of resources to help you to engage your kids with nature and get them being creative as home schooling returns following the Easter break.
Now, we need to ask for your help, by inviting you to take part in The 2.6 Challenge this weekend and to support Fields in Trust. This Sunday, 26th April, would have seen the 40th running of the Virgin Money London Marathon. With this postponed, people across the country are being asked to help save the UK's charities by taking part in an activity based around the number 2.6 or 26 and making a donation to charity. What you do is up to you - just dream up an activity based around 2.6 or 26 and get fundraising! Here's some inspiration to help you get started.
Now more than ever we are all realising the importance of having parks and green spaces close to home. Our research has demonstrated the positive physical health and mental wellbeing benefits that these spaces provide. The Secretary of State at the Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government, Rt. Hon Robert Jenrick MP, reminded us last weekend that "people need parks". But our Green Space Index found that 2.6 million people in Britain do not have a park or green space within a ten-minute walk of where they live, and that just 6% of provision is legally protected in perpetuity. We all intuitively know that green spaces are good and that they do good. Take part in The 2.6 Challenge this Sunday and help us protect green spaces for good.