Member Article

Britvic partnership to strengthen communities

Leading soft drinks manufacturer, Britvic, has announced it has two new long- term community partners: Sported and The Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts.

Both partners have been chosen by Britvic to complement its sustainable business people and planet focused strategy. In particular, the strategy’s priorities around promoting active lifestyles, protecting the environment and supporting local communities.

Each charity will benefit from a combination of corporate support, employee volunteering support and fundraising initiatives; in 2015, Britvic’s employees raised over £288,000 for a wide variety of charities.

Sported supports over 3,000 local sports groups across the UK and collectively, its members deliver over 100 different sporting activities to reach, engage and transform the lives of over 450,000 young people. Funding and volunteer support from Britvic will help Sported extend its services to even more community groups, and support sporting opportunities for disadvantaged young people that are inclusive and accessible to all.

There are 47 individual Wildlife Trusts across the UK, including Northumberland Wildlife Trust, all of which are working towards protecting wildlife and encouraging people and families to get active outdoors, leading to better health and wellbeing.

Together the 47 Trusts provide opportunities for millions of people to connect with nature in the local communities where they live and care for around 2,300 nature reserves and advise thousands of landowners and organisations on how to manage their land for wildlife. They also run marine conservation projects around the coast, collecting vital data on the state of our seas and celebrating the UK’s amazing marine wildlife.

Alison Rothnie, Senior Sustainability Manager at Britvic said: “We are proud to be partnering with The Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts and Sported as both charities are making a significant difference to local communities.

“We are determined to make a positive contribution to society more broadly and partnering with both organisations supports our ambition to encourage people to lead healthier and more active lifestyles as well as protecting the environment for posterity.”

Mike Pratt, Northumberland Wildlife Trust Chief Executive said: “I am delighted the two organisations have been chosen as one of Britvic’s charities. Millions of people benefit from the work of the 47 wildlife trusts around the UK, including ours in Northumberland, Newcastle and North Tyneside, whether it’s participating in wildlife projects and volunteering with us to visiting the thousands of inspirational wild places we care for.

“The support of Britvic and their employees will help us to ensure that more people have the opportunity to connect with wildlife across the UK.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Sue Bishop .