Charity walks its way to media success

Paths for All’s volunteers gain valuable recognition thanks to Charity PR

TO celebrate Paths for All’s Volunteer Awards 2018, we told the stories of this year’s amazing award winners. From the Highlands to the Borders, the ceremony saw a number of the nation’s volunteers win prizes for their efforts in transforming paths and parklands, as well as community walking habits in their local areas.

One of the winners included Ayrshire volunteer group, Ayrshire Coastal Path Pathminders (ACP), who scooped up the Community Path Group of the Year award in light of their efforts to maintain a 100-mile long coastal path.

An ex-PE teacher, Brenda Robertson, was also recognised, taking home the Macmillan Walk Leader award. Organising supportive walks in the Borders for people living with cancer, Brenda’s commitment has proven transformational for both the physical and mental wellbeing of the members in her community.

Amongst the champions was also Linda Shields. Devoting 20 hours a week to volunteering, Linda’s involvement has helped to achieve a 50% increase in the number of participants at Stirling’s Dementia Friendly Health Walks. Linda was presented with a Dementia Friendly Volunteer of the Year award for her continuous efforts in making sure that those living with dementia don’t miss out on regular walks in their local community.

The stories and devotion of the volunteers captured the attention of the local and regional press, with the highlights including:

Key regional print coverage in Edinburgh Evening News and The Press and Journal
Targeted print coverage in local publications including the Falkirk Herald, Southern Reporter, Border Telegraph, Fraserburgh Herald, Irvine Herald, Stirling Observer, Ayr Advertiser and North Wales Pioneer
Widespread online coverage on Stirling News, Evening Express, Edinburgh Evening News, North Edinburgh News, The Edinburgh Reporter and Edinburgh Live
Specialist charity coverage on Third Force News
The stories were shared on various public institutions and bodies’ websites such as the Stirling Council, Active Stirling and Forth Valley College
PR activity around the Volunteer Awards delivered a total of 23 pieces of media coverage with a combined reach of 180,269

Paths for All donates thousands of pounds worth of grants to transformative projects that boost health, promote walking and improve environments for people to be active in.

Broad coverage across regional, local and specialist media ensures a continuous spread of awareness around the charity’s efforts in transforming public areas around Scotland and the various benefits it brings to local communities.

Positive media reports help to advance the charity’s work by bringing in more volunteers and participants, ultimately assisting Paths for All in creating a happier, healthier Scotland trough walking.