Make a donation to the Land Trust to say thank you

After an unprecedented year in which over two million people have visited the Land Trust’s parks and green spaces, the national charity is seeking donations to help ensure these wonderful community spaces are maintained.

The charity, which owns and manages over 80 parks, nature reserves and a variety of other green spaces across England, worked hard to keep its sites open over the last 12 months to provide places of calm and tranquillity to benefit the physical and mental wellbeing of our communities throughout the Covid-19 pandemic.

With many people working from home or placed on furlough leave people had more time to get outside, driving communities to Land Trust parks as they looked for safe, pleasant places to visit for their daily exercise.

The Land Trust’s Director of Portfolio Management, Alan Carter, who oversees the management of the Trust’s green spaces said:

“We know that our parks and green spaces played a huge role in helping people through the Covid-19 pandemic and over the last 12 months we have welcomed more people than ever before to our sites which has been fantastic to see.

“When out on site many of our staff often get asked how they can help make a difference to the work we are doing as they are looking for a way to give back after enjoying using our spaces. Any donation, large or small, is greatly appreciated and makes a massive difference to our parks and green spaces and what we are able to deliver for our communities.”

One person who benefited from using our green spaces was the winner of our 2020 photography competition, three year old Sophie Hope, who was captured by her Mum, Laura, at Elba Park.

Elba Park in Sunderland is known by this family as Sophie’s happy place and during lockdown, the park became very special to them.

Three-year-old Sophie underwent treatment for a brain tumour in 2019 and lost her ability to walk, however as her Mum Laura explains Elba Park has played a huge part in getting her back on her feet:

“This photo was taken just after Sophie walked independently for 1.5 miles around the park, which is a huge achievement.

“I love the way the sun is shining behind her and the massive smile on her face. We call Elba Park her ‘happy place’ and that shines through in this photo. It means so much to us as a family.”

If you have have enjoyed spending time at a Land Trust green space and would like to make a donation to our work you can do so through our Just Giving page: https://www.justgiving.com/thelandtrust