Young Fundraiser Aiden Helps Access the Outdoors

Aiden, aged just 9, has raised enough money to kit out three schools in Somerset with waterproofs and wellies through The Outdoor Guide Foundation and Langford Budville CoE Primary School was one of the lucky schools he personally selected to receive the donation.

The Outdoor Guide Foundation is the charitable arm of The Outdoor Guide, a free online walking resource co-founded by TV presenter Julia Bradbury and her sister, Gina. The Foundation aims to make nature accessible to all children, regardless of their background, by providing vital outdoor gear to primary schools across the UK.

The idea for the Waterproof and Wellies campaign was born during lockdown, when Gina was shocked to learn that nearly a third of children in the UK live in poverty – many without suitable clothing to enjoy the outdoors. Lack of equipment means too many children miss out on the physical and emotional benefits of time spent in nature. Government figures show there are over 20,000 primary schools in the UK in which a number of families do not have easy access to the right gear to enjoy the outdoors.

The project, part of The Outdoor Guide Foundation, aims to raise £5m to provide 10 sets of high-quality outdoors kit, consisting of a waterproof jacket, trousers and welly boots to every state primary school across the country over the next six years …

Moved by this mission, Aiden – one of The Outdoor Guide’s junior ambassadors – set himself an ambitious goal. Inspired by a visit to the National Outdoor Expo in March 2022, where he met some of his outdoor heroes, Aiden decided to undertake a sponsored hike across Dartmoor to raise funds for the cause.

“I chose an outdoor challenge because outdoors is one of my favourite things and I really want all children to be able to stay warm and dry to go outside in all conditions,”
‍

said Aiden.

Backed by his scout leader parents, Aiden took on the mighty challenge of walking from Okehampton to Princetown – a demanding route spanning over 25 kilometres through Dartmoor’s rugged terrain. Over 10 hours, he crossed rivers, climbed tors, and battled fatigue to complete the route, raising enough funds to provide waterproof suits and wellies for three schools.

Langford Budville CoE Primary School was among the recipients chosen from a list provided by The Outdoor Guide Foundation.

“We are absolutely delighted and incredibly grateful to Aiden and The Outdoor Guide Foundation for thinking of our school.” The children at Langford Budville deserve the absolute best and this generous donation means our children can now fully enjoy outdoor learning and play, come rain or shine. Our Forest School is at the heart of our curriculum and deliver high quality, hands-on practical experiences to deliver lots of the geography, science and design & technology curriculum through being outside. We are incredibly grateful for this generous donation.”

said Mr Moise-Souch, Head of School.

‍

Aiden’s passion for the outdoors stems from his upbringing – he’s been hiking, camping and climbing since he was little, always with the right kit to stay safe and comfortable. His awareness that not all children have the same opportunities sparked his determination to make a difference.

His efforts are part of a wider mission by The Outdoor Guide Foundation, which continues to raise funds so that more schools can benefit from this transformative initiative. Each delivery of waterproofs and wellies costs just £350 per school, thanks to special deals secured by Gina through her outdoor industry connections.

Aiden’s story is a powerful reminder of what young people can achieve with determination and heart – and how one small step (or 25,000 of them!) can help open the doors to the natural world for so many others.

‍

Click here to read Aidan's blog on The Outdoor Guide website.

For more information on The Outdoor Guide Foundation and how to support the Waterproof and Wellies appeal, visit: www.theoutdoorguide.co.uk

‍

‍

‍