Pet sector businesses, their teams and dog owners across the UK are being invited to take the lead in a new national campaign to safeguard Britain’s ‘precious’ parks and green spaces.
The environmental charity Fields in Trust, whose President is The Prince of Wales, has launched a new month-long campaign, named ‘Bark For Our Parks’, which launched yesterday (Wednesday)..
The charity is supported by Prince William and a host of participating, high-profile celebrities and their dogs, organisers hope packs of supporters will turn out to raise the profile of the issue.
“Parks and green spaces are precious assets which are now under threat,” the charity’s CEO Helen Griffiths told Pet Trade Xtra. “We are fighting to safeguard them and we ask for support from both the public and the pet trade to protect these green hearts of our communities.”
Wherever you live in the UK, everyone is invited to take a walk with their dog around their local park or green space. When they sign up at www.barkforourparks.org, participants can apply for a free ‘Bark For Our Parks’ bandana for their dog.
Walkers are urged to seek sponsorship to raise funds for Fields in Trust, which works with landowners, community groups and policymakers to champion and support parks and green spaces through legal protection.
The independent charity, which celebrates its centenary next year, was founded as the National Playing Fields Association by King George VI. The late Duke of Edinburgh was its President for 64 years and it was Philip’s first patronage after he married The Queen in 1948. He could be found several days a week behind his desk at the charity’s office in Knightsbridge.
'STRONG SUPPORTERS’: Spaniel Monty and Georgia. (Picture credit Georgia Toffolo)
Among celebrities taking part next month will be ‘Made in Chelsea’ star and former ‘I’m A Celebrity’ winner Georgia Toffolo, 29, who will put her best foot forward in the ‘Bark For Our Parks’ campaign alongside her King Charles spaniel Monty.
Georgia was crowned Queen of the Jungle in 2017 and it is hoped many of her 1.8 million Instagram followers will also go ‘walkies’ with their dogs and support ‘Bark For Our Parks’ on social media, also using the hashtag #BarkForOurParks.
Georgia said: “The magic of both parks and green spaces to run, sniff and play is essential to dogs’ health and happiness. I'm thrilled to be working with fields in trust on their ‘Bark For Our Parks’ campaign and strongly support the work they do to protect thousands of hectares of parks and green spaces that I and my dog, Monty, treasure so dearly.”
Charity CEO Helen Griffiths added: “We would love to ask business owners in the pet trade to encourage their teams to join in. This country is facing a parks and green spaces emergency. Without protection, these precious places will continue to be developed on, and lost forever.
“Sadly, 6.1 million people do not live within a short walk of a green space and that number is growing. With a rising population and growing climate crisis, we need to act fast. We hope Britain’s dog lovers and park lovers will resonate with our campaign and help raise vital funds to continue our crucial work. We are so grateful to our wonderful group of celebrity ‘Bark For Our Parks’ Ambassadors for their support.”
‘HONOURED’ TO TAKE PART’: Natalie Rushdie and Pickle
Other celebrities taking part include: ‘The Only Way Is Essex’ star and media personality Gemma Collins, whose 2.2 million social media followers know she just became “Mummy” to her new pet whippet, Blue. Jazz singer Natalie Rushdie, daughter-in-law of Booker Prize-winning novelist Sir Salman Rushdie, taking part with her dog Pickle, and broadcaster, former ‘Children In Need’ host and BBC Radio 2 presenter Gaby Roslin.
Gaby said: “We all take our local parks for granted but they are so important for our health and wellbeing and I'm so proud to be working alongside Fields in Trust to support their fantastic work protecting these spaces for the future.
“’Bark For Our Parks’ is a great way for you and your dog to get involved and support the charity whilst doing something you love – a walk in the park!”
To support the campaign sign up at www.barkforourparks.org and find out more at www.fieldsintrust.org. To follow the campaign on social media, use #BarkForOurParks.
