Christmas presents that help the Three Peaks

Lovers of the outdoors are being given the chance to buy special Christmas presents, that help look after the Three Peaks of the Yorkshire Dales National Park. 

The ‘Presents that Protect’ scheme enables people to give a donation on someone's behalf to help with vital maintenance work on the path network around Pen-y-ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough. 

The scheme has been launched by the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority’sThree Peaks Project just in time for Christmas.

Steve Hastie, Three Peaks Project manager, said: “The money that people spend on our Presents that Protect goes towards crucial work caring for the stunning landscape of the Three Peaks – a very special area enjoyed by thousands of visitors every year.

“Each recipient will receive a personalised gift card and our Three Peaks pin badge and, for gift purchases over £25, they will also receive a voucher that can be spent in the National Park Authority’s online shop at retail.yorkshiredales.org.uk.

“If you’re stuck for a present for someone who loves the outdoors, this is an ideal way of bringing them pleasure while helping to look after this stunning landscape for the future. You can spend as much or as little as you want, knowing it is all going to a good cause." 

Around 50,000 people a year take on the Three Peaks Challenge – covering 24 miles in 12 hours – and this much-loved route requires good management to reduce damage and erosion. Resurfacing using limestone or gritstone chippings from local quarries or recycled flagstones costs an average of £25 per metre. A gift of £25 could help more people walk this way – and do it sustainably.

A gift of £50 could provide new waymarking, the finger posts are made of sustainably-sourced larch or oak and the Authority maintains and replaces around 300 each year, to ensure the footpaths are easy for people to use. 

A gift of £100 could help provide a new hand gate – the YDNPA maintains around 100 every year, replacing stiles with larch-made gates wherever possible as it makes routes more accessible for everyone.

More information about the ‘Presents that Protect’ scheme and details about how to buy gift cards are available at retail.yorkshiredales.org.uk/products/presents-that-protect .