Chair of South Oxfordshire District Council starts fundraising for Earth Trust

Cllr Jo Robb, Chair of South Oxfordshire District Council, joined up with Earth Trust as one of her chosen charities for 2021, and began her fundraising this week by launching a sponsored Autumnal Walks fundraising campaign that celebrates the beautiful wildlife in our district. Earth Trust has identified a 10-kilometre and 5-kilometre walk to help residents and visitors take time out and reconnect to woodlands.

Cllr Robb said: “As Chair of the council I’m very excited to be able to help support Earth Trust this year. The Trust plays an important role in protecting and restoring our local natural environment and gives us all the opportunity to enjoy beautiful green spaces to benefit our own health and wellbeing. Autumn is such a colourful and beautiful season to explore nature at its best, so I hope everyone is able to get out this half term to enjoy these walks.”

Join Cllr Robb in raising funds for Earth Trust and help meet the £2,500 target by organizing your own sponsored Autumnal Walk between 25 October and 30 November .

Register your team for £5 at Earth Trust Sponsored Autumnal Walk, encourage family and friends  to sponsor you, and on the day of your choice come and complete your preferred walking route. Route maps are provided on registration.

The 5-kilometre trail follows a path through Broad Arboretum – our living library of 49 species of trees and shrubs, all native to Oxfordshire – and Neptune Wood – planted to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar and the death of Nelson.

The 10-kilometre walk explores the Trust’s iconic Wittenham Clumps,  Little Wittenham Wood – one of Europe’s most important places for wildlife including the protected great crested newt –  and the River of Life I wetland area, where you can enjoy looking out for damsels, dragonflies, herons and kingfishers.

All money raised will be going directly to Earth Trust as part of Cllr Robb’s fundraising to help care for the charity’s precious woodlands and to plant more trees for future generations to enjoy.

Jayne Manley said: “We are incredibly grateful to Jo for nominating us as a South Oxfordshire charity of the year. Earth Trust’s green spaces are havens for wildlife, provide vital natural solutions to combat climate change, as well as offering us all a place to take a break from our busy lives. Taking part in this sponsored walk is a fantastic opportunity to join a growing community of people that recognise the importance of connecting with and caring for our environment – we have loved developing these routes for everyone to take part, have fun and keep fit at the same time!”