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South West rallies behind Coast Path to raise over £40,000 for 40th anniversary

22nd November 2018

Categories: Visitor News

The Coast Path near Rockham Bay
Photo provided by the South West Coast Path Association, Photographer: Mike Watson.

People all over the South West have come together to raise over £40,000 to mark the 40^th anniversary of the South West Coast Path. The #40FOR40 campaign, launched by the South West Coast Path Association, celebrates 40 years of the world-famous walking trail that’s on our doorstep by raising funds to protect it. Thanks to hundreds of supporters from across the South West, the charity has raised £43,077 that will go towards protecting, maintaining and improving the Path, helping to safeguard access to our coastline now and in the future.

Being exposed to the elements and the feet of millions of walkers means the Coast Path needs constant attention to keep it accessible and in world-class condition. Climate change is bringing more frequent and severe storms to batter the coastline of the South West. 2018 saw major storms like Brian, Emma and Callum damaging our coastline as well as the Coast Path being affected by other extreme weather events like the Beast from the East and the hottest summer on record.

As a result, the South West Coast Path Association has stepped up in recent years to fundraise for the Path, with #40FOR40 being the first region-wide fundraising campaign of its kind. The charity also raises essential funds through membership fees, donations, legacies and grants, utilising match funding wherever possible to help make every pound go further.

Director of the South West Coast Path Association, Julian Gray said, “The South West Coast Path is essential to our economy, sustaining more than 11,000 jobs and attracting over 9 million visitors every year who spend in excess of £500 million in the region. It also serves as a place for all of us to improve our physical, mental and emotional wellbeing, making it one of our most valuable assets.

This 40^th celebration campaign has been a huge success for us, as it has shown how many people care about the Path and are willing to support it to ensure it is here for many years to come. I would like to say a personal thank you to everyone who helped us reach this target and hope others will be inspired to do the same in the future.”

The campaign gained support from well-known outdoor enthusiasts like TV’s Julia Bradbury, five-time Olympian Jo Pavey and ultra-marathon runner Damian Hall to name but a few. Ambassador for the South West Coast Path Association Jo Pavey, lives just a few miles in-land from the South West Coast Path.

Jo said, “I’m thrilled that the Association has managed to exceed its fundraising target. The South West Coast Path is incredibly precious and we’re so lucky to have a charity working to protect, maintain and improve it for all of us to enjoy. It’s also incredibly uplifting to know that so many people care about looking after it and have shown their support by donating or fundraising to the #40FOR40 campaign.”

The campaign attracted individuals and groups from all over the region who walked, ran or organised community fundraisers to help the charity reach its £40,000 target. In addition to this, donations were received from walking groups like the Totnes Ramblers who supported in memory of Edward Franklin who love the Coast Path.

Becca Mabelle from Plymouth in Devon ran 10 marathons in 10 days. Becca said, “The trails are my playground, my happy place. I was lucky enough to spend 10 consecutive days in the summer on the Coast Path and I saw it in all its glory. I value the trail because it provides so much in the way of untamed beauty and for me at least, therapy, yet costs nothing to use. It does however cost quite a bit to maintain and it’s so easy to forget that. So, to have been able to contribute to the amazing #40FOR40 fundraising campaign has been a privilege and a way of giving something back to the Path that has given so much to me.”

Paul Eddy from Camborne in Cornwall walked 40 miles with his fiancé Lindsay and raised over £400. Paul said, “Walking is my passion, but it has become so though the journey of recovery from alcoholism, anxiety and depression. I have been so fortunate to have rediscovered my past love for the Path, which now gives me the space to completely relax and walk my mind clear without the need from medication, which once replaced the alcohol I had used to mask my issues. It’s great to have been able to help this cause and give back to the Path for the enormous contribution it has made to the health and happiness of me and my family.”

Jennie Bayliss, from Portland in Dorset walked 400 miles in 34 days. Jennie said, “It was every bit as challenging as I thought, but most surprising was the deep inner peace I found whilst walking every day for almost five weeks. I love that the Association looks after, protects, sign-posts and keeps the Path open, so we get to enjoy it—whether it's for a gentle stroll or a walking marathon. I am honoured to have been part of the #40FOR40 campaign and am so pleased to hear they exceeded their target.”

Violet Howley from Wedmore in Somerset is a member of the Association and donated towards the campaign. Violet said, “The information provided by the charity is brilliant and I couldn’t have completed the Path without it. The majority of people I speak to don’t seem to know about the wonderful work they do, so I try to tell as many people as I can. I feel honoured to have access to such a beautiful, varied and challenging coastline and would urge anyone who uses the Path to support the Association and the work they do to protect it.”

It wasn’t just individuals and groups getting involved, a number of organisations and businesses got behind the campaign too including; East Devon District Council Countryside Team, Devon Life Magazine, Devon’s Top Attractions, Sunday Afternoon Hats, Forthglade Natural Pet Food Producers, Dorset Coastal Cottages, the Malcolm Whales Foundation, Wild Running, Charles Stanley, Thurlestone Golf Club, Bush & Co and Beach Retreats.

If you would like to know more about the South West Coast Path, the Association or the #40FOR40 campaign, please visit www.southwestcoastpath.org.uk