The FRCC have been contacted by the #saveoutdoored campaign.
They report that Outdoor Education Centres around the UK are facing an existential threat due to the pandemic; many are being forced to permanently close, and many more face closure as we head into the winter season. Outdoor centres have been closed since March, with no income or guidance as to when or how they can reopen.
Most climbers and mountaineers would agree that outdoor activity is hugely important for mental and physical wellbeing, and wouldn’t want to imagine a life without it. As things currently stand, millions of young people will miss out on their residentials next year, and if centres close, these opportunities will be lost forever. But, collectively something can be done about this.
The campaign is asking for help to raise awareness of the crisis that faces the industry. If we don’t fight for this industry, it won’t be there to inspire future generations of climbers and mountaineers. There is a BMC video and/or article explaining the situation.
https://www.thebmc.co.uk/save-outdoor-centres-write-mp-bmc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=seK4KyYechY&feature=emb_title
They suggest a few ways to help out:
- You could write to your local MP. Please use the link; https://campaigns.thebmc.co.uk/save-outdoor-centres
- Search and follow #saveoutdoored on social media, share and retweet posts relating to the campaign.
- Sign and share the government petition on social media. https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/330559
The more signatures, the better!
Brenda Fullard,
Secretary.