FOLLOWING the success of their charitable campaign for Black Friday, premium countrywear specialists Schöffel Country has today announced that they have raised a total of £6,890 for the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT).
This year Schöffel Country donated £5 from every order on their website over Black Friday weekend (Black Friday to Cyber Monday inclusive) to the GWCT. Last year, £3,295 was raised for the GWCT, specifically its Game Appeal.
This year Schöffel Country chose to support the GWCT Wader Tracking Appeal to conserve three beloved wading birds; curlew, lapwing and woodcock.
Marcus Janssen, brand director at Schöffel Country, said: “A highlight of 2019 has unquestionably been our hugely successful Black Friday initiative to raise funds for the GWCT.
“They’re a brilliant organisation at the very heart of the British Countryside, and they have never been more relevant or important.
“They produce the scientific data that legislators rely on in order to make key decisions that affect the countryside, our wildlife and the livelihoods of those who live and work in rural Britain.
“At any one time they have literally dozens of research projects on the go, and they do all this hard work on behalf of all of us. This particular wader-tracking programme will play a vital role in halting the decline of these three iconic species – the lapwing, curlew and woodcock – in the UK - so to be able to contribute to that is hugely rewarding for us at Schöffel Country.”
Dr Andrew Hoodless, who is head of wetland research at GWCT, said: “The Schöffel Black Friday charity fundraiser is a great idea and we’re pleased to see such a good response to it.
“We’re very grateful for the generous donation towards our tracking project. As a relatively small charity, we rely heavily on donations to support our work and corporate initiatives are greatly appreciated.
“The woodcock, lapwing and curlew are all such charismatic species, but without research to better understand their ecology and devise appropriate conservation measures we are likely to see breeding numbers decline further. Our tracking project is a good fit with Schöffel, as many customers will be familiar with these species and would no doubt like to see them thrive.”
Notes to editors
The Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust – providing research-led conservation for a thriving countryside. The GWCT is an independent wildlife conservation charity which has carried out scientific research into Britain’s game and wildlife since the 1930s. We advise farmers and landowners on improving wildlife habitats. We employ 22 post-doctoral scientists and 50 other research staff with expertise in areas such as birds, insects, mammals, farming, fish and statistics. We undertake our own research as well as projects funded by contract and grant-aid from Government and private bodies. The Trust is also responsible for a number of Government Biodiversity Action Plan species and is lead partner for grey partridge and joint lead partner for brown hare and black grouse.
For information, contact:
Eleanor Williams
Telephone: 07592 025476
Email: press@gwct.org.uk