The volunteers and staff at the Ramblers are a plucky bunch. The passion with which they strive to keep the UK’s walking routes accessible is something we should all appreciate. They’ve already taken great strides, from National Parks and National Trails to the freedom to roam across millions of acres of the countryside.
They’ve even helped the nation enjoy Britain’s entire coastline on foot and recently influenced the 2021 Environment Act, which ensures access is included in environmental land management schemes
But, says Rebecca Dawson, chair of the Ramblers, the charity also does valuable work on a more regional level, too. “We're involved at every single level of every kind of access legislation, which means we're always there in the background,” she explains.
The Ramblers has helped safeguard more than 140,000 miles of paths and open land, ensuring more people can enjoy walking outdoors. But how does it work? “A mixture of Ramblers volunteers and staff might work together to help resolve a regional or national issue,” says Rebecca. “Meanwhile our expert staff will be talking to MPs and metro mayors and their offices. It’s all about helping to give a big enough voice to walkers and what we want to achieve.”
And, says Rebecca, the chances are that the Ramblers has already helped keep a pathway open near you. “Our footpath volunteers are always on the lookout for planning applications or requests that modify the path network in their local area.”
“Let's say there’s a new housing estate that's going to be built, and there's a footpath going across that site, and the developers want to change or remove it. Our volunteers will get involved and try to find the best outcome for walkers. That’s what’s most important.”
Volunteers have also helped discover more than 49,000 miles of missing paths, creating the first ever map of lost paths, which the charity will be working to save over the coming years.
Funds from membership fees alone are not enough to cover the extensive work that the Ramblers does each year. That’s why donations to the Ramblers are so vital in helping put the simple pleasures of walking in nature within everyone’s reach.
The Ramblers is generously supported by players of the People’s Postcode Lottery, as part of the lottery’s Climate Challenge initiative. People’s Postcode Lottery manages lotteries on behalf of 20 Postcode Trusts.
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