We are very excited to launch ‘Step into Spring’!  

From 20^th March to 20^th April, we challenge you to walk or run 100 miles, which is the length of the River Nene!

Join Nene Park Trust in exploring the outdoors as trees come into leaf and the colours of spring start to take over. We also hope you will take this challenge as an opportunity to reap the benefits of fresh air and exercise and celebrate the wonderful green space we have on our doorsteps!

This challenge is your chance to support your Park and raise money for Nene Park Trust. This past year has been difficult for everyone, and in the last financial year 2020/2021 we had a reduction of income of over £500,000 due to the pandemic. By the time everything is back to normal, we are expecting a total reduction of income over the next two years to be £1,000,000.

We have adapted to the pandemic as best we can to keep operating and providing the Peterborough community with greenspaces, educational activities, Covid-friendly volunteering and plans for the future however, we can only partially offset this by reducing costs. This is where you come in!

We hope you will join us for this fun and uplifting challenge during these difficult times, whilst also raising crucial funds for the Trust.

More information and how to take part can be found on our appeals page: https://www.nenepark.org.uk/appeal/stepintospring

Get to know some of our staff members from Nene Park Trust who are taking part in the challenge:

Sophie Rolfe

Role at NPT: Visitor Ranger 

Why are you taking part in the challenge? To discover some new walking routes around the area where I live, and also walk more of my daily check routes around the park to help with our objective to reduce vehicle usage in the park

What do you love most about NPT? The Trust has given me so many opportunities in the relatively short time I’ve been here, it really is a great place to work. Also, I love that people can get outdoors and discover nature in do many ways at Nene Park, something that probably isn’t possible in most other cities. 

Caroline Hartley

Role at NPT: Marketing and Communications Officer

Why are you taking part in the challenge? With spring on its way and especially after our lock down winter with the children spending so much time in front of screens at home, I want to challenge us all to get out on more regular walks. I think between us (2 adults, 3 children and a dog) and with a bit of healthy competition between us, we should be able to reach the 100 mile target! 

What do you love most about NPT? I love the way that the Park has so many different areas to explore and enjoy. From the busier areas near the Visitor Centre in Ferry Meadows to the peace and tranquillity of Bluebell Wood, there are times you feel you could be deep in the countryside and not just on the edge of Peterborough. 

Lucy Thornton-Reid

Role at NPT: Fundraising Officer

Why are you taking part in the challenge? Like most people, this past year I have been walking much more than usual and really enjoying it. I feel like now is the time to push myself and achieve something at the same time, raising money for NPT is a huge motivator, all donations are going towards a very worthy cause which impacts people's lives daily.

What do you love most about NPT? I love how the Park has grown with me, I have such fond memories of cycling around with my family as a child (and being terrified of how steep Milton Ferry Bridge was!) and as I have got older I have enjoyed taking walks further afield with friends and seeing how the Park has changed and improved over the years. 

If you have any questions, please get in touch with the fundraising team: [email protected]