Ourea Events annual One Percent For The Planet donation goes to Fix the Fells
Each year Ourea Events™ donates 1% of its total sales to grassroots environmental organisations at the forefront of the protection of the mountain environment. Ourea Events’ managing director, Shane Ohly explained his reasons for the company's association with 1% For The Planet.
Shane Ohly exploring Okanagan Mountain Provincial Park (Canada) earlier this year ©Heather Ohly
“As an event organiser I recognise that the mountains, which we all love to run in, are beautiful, wild yet fragile environments and I am sure that all mountain & fell runners want to minimise their impact. As a business we already take steps to minimise the effect our events have on the environment and improve their sustainability. However, it is inevitable that each event will have some impact on the local environment, even if it is negligible relative to the impact of members of public, agriculture and industry. Therefore we donate 1% of our total revenue to organisations at the forefront of protecting and preserving the mountains”
In 2013, Ourea Events™ only organised two events, which were both held in the Lake District (read the 2013 event reports by clicking in the following links: Marmot Dark Mountains™ based from Muncaster Castle and the Great Lakeland 3Day™ based from Dowthwaite Head Farm). It therefore seems fitting that the organisation's 2013 donation goes to the Fix the Fells campaign.
1% For The Planet inspires members of the business community to contribute 1% of sales to environmental groups around the world. Quoting the 1% For The Planet website, Shane Ohly said, “It’s about businesses recognising that industry and ecology are inherently connected. It’s about realizing the positive effects of connecting businesses, consumers and nonprofits through philanthropy. And it’s about understanding that the true cost of doing business can be mitigated by a simple pledge to the planet”.
Liz Guest from the National Trust, which coordinates the Fix the Fells program said, “Many thanks indeed for choosing to support Fix the Fells and the National Trust, it is very much appreciated. Every gift really does make a difference to what we can achieve… it will be used to support our work maintaining and caring for the upland landscape in the Lake District”.
If you would like to get involved with Fix the Fells, there is an opportunity to join their Volunteering Day in Langdale on 8th June, to help with some path repair and maintenance work. It will be an opportunity to meet their rangers and Lengthsmen as well as getting stuck in!
Ourea Ltd, trading as Ourea Events™ owns the Dragon’s Back Race™, Great Lakeland 3Day™, Berghaus Trail Chase™, Marmot Dark Mountains™, Cape Wrath Ultra™, Rab Mountain Marathon™, Marmot24™ and Trail-Rush™. The business joined 1% For The Planet in 2012.