Charities Urged to Uphold 3 Peaks Challenge Code of Practice
21 Jan 2008
The Fundraising Standards Board (FRSB) and the Lake District National Park Authority (LDNPA) are urging charities and fundraising organisations involved with the Three Peaks Challenge event during 2008 to carefully observe the relevant codes of practice for this event.
“Over the summer months, many thousands will be taking up this challenge which is known to be a good fundraising event” says Jon Scourse, chief executive of the FRSB. “Unlike the London Marathon, this is not a one-off structured event so each weekend during the season many hundreds - even thousands in mid-summer - attempt the challenge. However, the impact on the environment and local people can be detrimental, so we are urging charities and fundraising organisations to operate the event to the highest standards.”
The LDNPA is particularly concerned about two issues. Firstly, the numbers in any one event should be limited to 200 and secondly, the impact of overnight arrivals which disrupt local people. The Code is clear about the maximum number of people and that embarkation/disembarkation must not occur between the hours of midnight and 05.00hrs in areas of local settlement.
“The problem occurs when excessive numbers of event participants arrive in the small hamlets of Wasdale and Seathwaite-in-Borrowdale in the middle of the night, in their attempt to achieve a 24 hour target for the three peaks.” says LDNPA Ranger Chris Berry. “This has created real problems for the local communities and the National Trust who manage the valley whilst the large numbers have also had an environmental impact.”