Leading outdoor brand Merrell has pledged £60,000 to YHA to support our mission of making nature and adventure accessible to everyone.
The donation, from the Merrell Fund, was announced at a special Festival of Walking event at YHA Hartington Hall in Derbyshire to celebrate our 95th anniversary.
Distributed over three years and shared between our Breaks programme and our Outdoor Citizens community, the Merrell Fund is designed to engage and actively encourage those who may find it difficult to get outside into nature or for those who want to protect and preserve green spaces.
The money will provide life-changing opportunities for young people and families most in need to enjoy a two-night holiday at a youth hostel as part of our Breaks programme. Each year, the programme supports around 1,500 children and their families to access the outdoors, many for the first time.
Additionally, it will also help widen participation in our annual Festival of Walking by offering grants to small charities, not-for-profit groups and organisations that form part of our Outdoor Citizens membership community. Outdoor Citizens and the annual Festival of Walking are key projects delivered by us, helping tackle the inequality of access to the outdoors.
The 100-strong Outdoor Citizens community includes groups such as Muslim Hikers and Black Girls Hike UK, who share our vision of removing barriers to the outdoors and championing equity, diversity and inclusion.
Zoe Gooderham, Social Media Executive at Merrell commented: ‘We at Merrell, are proud to be able to support such an amazing charity that shares similar values to our own. YHA’s amazing work with disadvantaged groups mirrors Merrell’s commitment to breaking down barriers and stereotypes about ‘who’ belongs outdoors. Both, Merrell and YHA highlight the mental and physical benefits of time in nature, encouraging diverse communities to connect with the outdoors.’
At our anniversary event, which celebrated our role in opening up access blue and green spaces for nearly a century, Merrell also hosted a shoe exchange for more than 50 walkers, aged between 5 months and 75 years old who took part in a 10km Festival of Walking guided walk.
James Blake, our Chief Executive, said: “Since 1930 YHA has been inspiring generations to explore the outdoors, often for the very first time. Partnerships like this one with Merrell are vital to ensure we can continue to break down barriers and open up life-changing experiences to even more young people and families. We are incredibly grateful for the donation and the support they have pledged to us over the next three years. The money and their support will make a tangible difference in the lives of the people we reach.”
With its centenary just five years away, we are calling for support to continue its work inspiring a love of nature and adventure through affordable accommodation, especially for young people.
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