more being held since. Thousands of people have now taken part in tree planting activities. The site has also seen two Guinness World Records attempted; the fi rst for the most number of trees planted in one hour by 100 people and the second for the most people participating in a ‘welly wanging’ competition. We’re also in the process of scoping out a purpose- built car park on site too, as there isn’t one at the moment.


You originally said you needed to raise £8.5m for the project. How is the fundraising effort going? The Trust has already shown a strong commitment to this project, and we purchased the Heartwood Forest site using core funds and reserves. We’re now working hard to replenish these reserves over time and meet the total project cost. We’re also seeking to deliver the ambitious people engage- ment aspects of this project, so our target now stands at £10m. We’re confi dent that we’ll meet the majority of the funding required to deliver this project and make Heartwood Forest a really special place. We’ve already raised more than 80 per cent of our target.


ISSUE 2 2011 © cybertrek 2011


Locals are encouraged to take part in tree planting events at the site (top left and above). As part of a partnership with the Woodland Trust, Disney Store is sponsoring a 50 acre wood and staff have helped plant trees on site (bottom left)


Local pupils regularly get involved


How did the partnership with Disney Store come about? The Woodland Trust and Disney Store had been working together on a small scale for some time before Disney Store decided to help create Heartwood Forest.


The company was looking for a char- ity to support during its Earth Day celebrations – which see activities tak- ing place in Disney Stores throughout April – and saw that creating a new wood with the Woodland Trust would


be a great way to highlight its commit- ment to environmental issues to its staff and customers. In 2009, Disney Store agreed to cre- ate a 50 acre wood within Heartwood Forest which will be named The Magical Wood. The company has com- mitted to raising £500,000 to pay for the creation of the wood; this is mostly being raised through the sale of com- memorative reusable bags each April. For each bag sold, £1 is donated to the Woodland Trust. Disney Store and the Woodland


Trust have organised for Disney Store staff to plant thousands of trees in the wood, to make sure staff are really involved with this project.


How important are partnerships such as this one? They are vital to creating Heartwood Forest. A project on this scale can’t be funded from donations from Trust


Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital 39


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