Rab & Lowe Alpine support Peak District National Park Foundation to connect young people to the outdoors

British outdoor brands Rab and Lowe Alpine (owned by Equip Outdoor Technologies) have teamed up with the Peak District National Park Foundation to inspire more young people to discover - and care for - the outdoors.

As a Derbyshire-based outdoor kit specialist, Equip is supporting the Foundation as a Gold Peak Partner and will work with the National Park Authority on its Ambassador Schools programme.

The Ambassador Schools initiative aims to build relationships between the Peak District, schools and communities. It promotes the benefits of outdoor learning and enables young people to enjoy, care for and take pride in the National Park.

Karen Jewell, director of HR and Organisational Development at Equip, said: “Our mission is to inspire adventure, while driving industry-wide change to protect our planet and increase participation in the outdoors. Equip sits on the border of the Peak District National Park. It is our home, playground, testing ground, and sanctuary. In the 1980s, Rab was founded here, by climbers, on the area’s legendary gritstone. A key part of protecting the planet is forming a deeper connection to it. It’s something we tend to develop at a young age - climbing trees, getting muddy, paddling in lakes. Partnering with the Peak District National Park's Ambassador Schools helps more young people connect with the outdoors and start to form that bond. It’s all about inspiring the next generation to get outdoors and look after the environment.”

The Foundation’s fundraising manager, Laura Hazle, added: “We’re delighted to welcome Equip as a Gold Peak Partner and look forward to working with them in the Ambassador Schools initiative. It’s so important to give young people the opportunity to experience the outdoors, while gaining an understanding of how to care for the environment. Hopefully, we are inspiring the next generation of nature lovers.”

National Park engagement manager Lorna Fisher added: “We want to help young people and the community of schools to become more aware of their National Park. It’s not only so that they can experience this amazing place, which needs looking after, but also learn that they can take action locally to protect and care for the natural spaces they love.”

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Picture(s) caption: Peak District National Park Ambassador Schools help young people to experience the outdoors and learn how to care for the environment. Pictures by Fiona Stubbs/PDNPA.

About The Peak District National Park Foundation

The Peak District National Park Foundation is an independent charity that cares for the Peak District National Park. Its aim is to work towards a Peak District that is conserved and enjoyed by everyone. It funds projects that care for the landscape and wildlife, helps fight climate change and connects people from all backgrounds and situations to nature and the outdoors. To find out more about its work visit www.peakdistrictfoundation.org.uk

Learn more about Ambassador Schools at Peak District Ambassador Schools: Peak District National Park

Peak Partner membership enables businesses to care for the National Park and meet their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) goals. Peak Partner businesses get exclusive use of the Foundation’s supporter logo to show their customers they’re supporting the National Park. Silver and Gold Peak Partners benefit from great team away days in beautiful surroundings, to see first-hand the impact of their support in the National Park. Learn more at https://www.peakdistrictfoundation.org.uk/peak-partners/