What is Giving Tuesday?
‘Giving Tuesday’ is a day to celebrate giving to charity. It was established in America as an anti-dote to the consumerism of pre-Christmas shopping days ‘Black Friday’ and ‘Cyber Monday’. The campaign came to the UK in 2014, and is now a global movement, with 70 countries taking part.
In the words of the Giving Tuesday organisers “on Giving Tuesday we want you to do good stuff for your favourite charity or cause. You can give time or expertise, monetary donations large or small, simple acts of kindness, food, clothing, books or household items. How you support your favourite cause is totally up to you! Anyone anywhere can get involved and give back in a way that’s meaningful to them. There’s no minimum or limit to how people can do good.”
A growing movement in the South West
The concept of ‘Giving Tuesday’ is starting to gain real momentum in the South West as well as nationally. #GivingTuesday was the most used hashtag in the UK on that day last year, and its set to be even bigger in 2019.
The South West Coast Path Association is encouraging locals to get behind the campaign day this year and give back to the National Trail that allows us all to benefit mentally and physically from the coastal landscape.
How can you help?
- Share your giving story
Individuals and organisations can show their support for Giving Tuesday and the South West Coast Path Association by sharing how and why they support the National Trail using #MyGivingStory and the above tile on Tuesday 3rd December. We hope to create some real noise on social media on the day and that these amazing stories of generosity will inspire new supporters to give money or time to the Coast Path.
It would be fantastic if you could do the following:
- Like and share Giving Tuesday posts from the South West Coast Path Association @southwestcoastpath on Facebook @swcoastpath on Twitter
- Share your own #MyGivingStory in the style of Daniela’s and Luggage Transfers’ below and using the tile above
- Ask your audiences to do the same!
From the first time Daniela stepped foot on the South West Coast Path, she dreamed of walking it all.
“I felt this fascination with it. But walking more than a half mile was not possible at that time because I was extremely overweight, and hiking was not something I could do. The SWCP was always on my mind though and something told me that I was the only person standing in the way of letting this dream come true.”
Inspired by the SWCP, Daniela started walking, getting fitter and losing the weight that had been holding her back from realising her dream. In August this year, Daniela (10 stone lighter than when she had first stepped foot on the Path) reached the finish at South Haven Point.
Luggage Transfers provide hikers with a baggage collection service, so you don’t have to walk up and down all those hills carrying your kit. They deliver around 10,000 bags a month and donate 25p per booking to help look after the South West Coast Path. Thanks to them, more and more of you are getting in touch to tell us that you have completed all 630 miles of the SWCP. For one member who recently completed, Luggage Transfers helped him keep up momentum. Patrick Wyatt from Exmouth said, “On my journey to complete the SWCP, I started to use the Luggage Transfers service and managed to walk 215 miles from Minehead to Woolacombe and from Newquay round to Gorran Haven between April and September.”
- Fundraise for or donate to the Trail
Using #GivingTuesdayPledge gives you the opportunity to share your commitment, so that you can help inspire others to do something to support a good cause.
Whether you want to give back to the Trail as an individual, business or organisation there are several ways to do this. One of the most important ways you can show your commitment to the SWCP is by becoming a member or business supporter. You can also give a donation, either to help with our overall work or support an appeal that matters to you.
We also know there are those of you who would love to do something on the day itself to support us. We have a great fundraising hub to inspire you and your team to get started.
Get in touch
If you have any questions about the South West Coast Path Association’s Giving Tuesday activity, please contact: Becky Millington, Comms Officer [email protected]
