The AK Foundation Milestone represents a journey of impact, where each grant propels projects that bring confidence and connection to kids across the UK.
The Alpkit Foundation has officially awarded over £100,000 to some 300 projects across the world! That’s quite the milestone.
It was a meeting like any other. Gathered around a table at our local, we discussed applications from groups and individuals, worked out how we could best support their extraordinary projects, and made some 28 awards. It was a meeting like any other, except that we hit a milestone: £100,000 awarded to some 300 projects worldwide!
Okay, okay. so we’re being a little dramatic (you’ll have to forgive us, we’re pretty darn excited), but to us that £100,000 is more than just a number. It’s a number that represents ordinary people doing extraordinary things in the outdoors to make the world a better place, proving that many small steps can make a huge difference. We feel honoured that we can play a role - however small - in making these projects happen, and if that’s not something to get excited about, we don’t know what is.
So, what kind of projects have we been funding? Here are a few that have really stuck out over the last 2 and a half years.
Wheel Potential
Self-acclaimed cycling fanatics Frank, Beatrice and Gill founded Wheel Potential in 2016 to provide open-air cycling experiences for less-able adults in Canterbury. The group have since established a community in which adults who are unable to ride unaccompanied can be introduced to the joys of spinning along a country lane in the wind and sun on adapted cycles. Wheel Potential put their Alpkit Foundation award towards an adult tandem trike.
Boots for Snowdon
Lydgate Special Needs School in Holmfirth wanted to give their students the opportunity to build their confidence by taking on a challenge, tackling their fears, and working together as a team. Their mission? Summit Snowdon!
Many of the school's students face considerable financial barriers to the outdoors, so Lydgate approached the Alpkit Foundation for funding towards walking boots. Once back from their adventure, they let us know how they got on. you can read about it here.
Alzheimer's Memory Cafe
At the beginning of January 2017, the Berks, Bucks and Oxon Wildlife Trust trialled the Nature Memories Cafe with the aim of providing a safe, relaxing and welcoming environment for those living with dementia and their loved ones. They used their Alpkit Foundation Aware to make this session free for all participants.
The 10-week trial was a huge success and the Wildlife Trust were able to secure funding to continue the sessions. Read more about it here.
SofA Hathersage
We want our work to have a positive effect on as many people as possible, so last year we began a collaboration with Thornbridge Outdoors and Alpkit Hathersage to share the skills and knowledge needed for a good, safe adventure with as many people as possible. Also known as SofA Hathersage.
SofA Hathersage offers outdoor courses aimed at learning and building on skills across a variety of disciplines in the outdoors. We subsidise every ticket to give more people the opportunity to learn from Thornbridge Outdoors' expert instructors. (for more information head to out Hathersage Store Page.
Thank you!
Unfortunately, we can't mention every project that we've been involved with (we wish!). but we can direct you to our Foundation News page, where you'll find more stories about the projects we've supported.
We'd like to thank Alpkit customers and our generous donors for helping us to help others to overcome obstacles to nice places and good things. Every time you make an order with Alpkit, a percentage is donated to the Alpkit Foundation to remove barriers for someone, somewhere to do something great! You all deserve to feel all warm and fuzzy inside!
Finally, we'd like to thank our board of trustees for investing their time in the Alpkit Foundation!
To find out how we can support your group or project, visit the Alpkit Foundation page.