Smartwool Supports Friends Of The Lake District Fell Care Days This "Socktober"

Press Release / 17.09.2019

Smartwool launches "Socktober" - a charitable project that raises funds to help Friends of the Lake District Fell Care Days.

After a hugely successful Socktober campaign in 2018, Smartwool - the Merino wool active apparel brand - is proud to announce its partnership with Friends of the Lake District for this year's campaign. The partnership will specifically support the charity's Fell Care Days; an initiative which organises volunteer-led essential tasks in order to maintain the landscape of the Lake District, including litter picking (by foot or canoe), Rhododendron bashing and path building.

The Socktober campaign will raise funds for the charity through the sale of Smartwool socks throughout the month of October 2019. Through affiliated retailers George Fisher, Ellis Brigham, Cotswold Outdoor and Snow and Rock, for every pair of Smartwool socks sold, £1 is donated to Fell Care Days.

What Are Fell Care Days?
Friends of the Lake District Fell Care Days are practical conservation and learning events which bring together local communities, schools and volunteers from many different walks of life. They focus on reconnecting people with the landscape by raising awareness of the immense value of uplands in providing: diverse and unique habitats, food and fuel, clean water, flood control, jobs, locking up carbon in peat soils, opportunities for recreation and improving our health and well-being to name but a few. The days are filled with a sense of shared purpose, fun, camaraderie and most importantly, lots of cake to help fuel volunteers through their tasks! Fell Care Days are a great example of partnership working across the many organisations that work to protect the Lake District and Cumbria; who pitch in to help with conservation activities on the day. In particular, the National Trust who, not only generously donate funding each year, but also provide in-kind support from staff who lead many of the tasks.

Ruth Kirk, Landscape Engagement Officer with Friends of the Lake District and organiser of Fell Care Days says, "In a culture that is so often focused on the individual and the material, Fell Care Days seem to tap in to a deep seated desire to feel connected again to the natural world of which we are all part, and to be able to feel a sense of real satisfaction from giving something back and making a difference to a place that has inspired past generations and continues to inspire people now. It's difficult to convey in words the swell of energy, the positive force for good and the impressive sense of concerted effort and action which embodies a Fell Care Day so why not sign up to get involved?"

Smartwool joins the National Trust as a funder for Friends of the Lake District's Fell Care Days.

Fell Care Days 2020
The beautiful valleys and fells around Haweswater and Langdale in the Lake District World Heritage Site will be the locations for the 2020 Fell Care Days. Volunteers will have the chance to get involved in a wide range of practical tasks including upland path maintenance, dry stone walling, tree planting, red squirrel conservation and much more.

Smartwool On Advocacy
In early 2018, Smartwool joined the EOCA, (European Outdoor Conservation Association) becoming part of a group of businesses in the European outdoor industry who have come together to raise funds to put directly into conservation projects worldwide - to give back to the great outdoors. "One of Smartwool's core values is Advocacy: we will always protect what we love. Collaborating with EOCA enables us to take action to sustain and preserve our beautiful wild landscapes. We are excited to be part of - and contribute to - the EOCA community." - Genevieve Peterson, Brand and Sales Director at Smartwool EMEA.

This October, encourage friends & family to take part in "Socktober" by purchasing any Smartwool pair of socks from: Ellis Brigham, George Fisher, Cotswold Outdoor and Snow and Rock. £1 will then be donated to Fell Care Days Project. For donations more than £1 head to www.friendsofthelakedistrict.org.uk and quote "Socktober campaign."
    
About Smartwool
Based in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, Smartwool is an apparel brand whose products are inspired by living and playing in the mountains. All Smartwool® products come with a 100% satisfaction guarantee and are created to get the most out of the inherent benefits of Merino wool. For information on the full range of Smartwool® products, or to find a dealer near you, please log on to www.smartwool.com. Smartwool, a division of VF Outdoor, LLC, is a brand of VF Corporation.For event and company updates, visit us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/smartwooleurope and Twitter: www.twitter.com/Smartwool.