Press Release – Spotty Otter Helps Unzip Access to the UK’s National Parks

PRESS RELEASE

23 May 2022

Kids’ Outdoor Clothing Company Helps Unzip Access to the UK’s National Parks

As spring turns to early summer, the temptations of the outdoors shouldn’t be limited by lack of suitable clothing or lack of access to the wealth of the UK’s countryside. Leading sustainable children’s outdoor clothing company Spotty Otter are putting their money where their footprints have long been leading, with two big-striding initiatives to support the work of the UK’s great National Parks, and help families discover them.

From the lush New Forest to the lofty Cairngorms, the UK’s 15 National Parks offer endless options for outdoor fun, from gentle walking to action filled adventure. Covering a staggering 16,267 square kilometres, they’re much closer and more accessible, for free, than many realise.

Founded in 2007 by a small team of outdoor enthusiasts frustrated by inadequate kids’ clothing, Spotty Otter has built a strong reputation and committed following for their fun, functional, bright and hardwearing performance clothing, designed and made exclusively for kids. A perfect fit for children taking their first steps, leaps, splashes and swings in the great outdoors while staying warm and dry, the company has announced a partnership with the National Parks UK to help preserve and promote these natural playgrounds.

15% of all profits from their dynamic waterproof Forest Ranger and Leader clothing and footwear ranges will be directed to the National Parks UK Education Travel Fund. Investment will support vital work protecting and enhancing the Parks, and co-ordinating programmes, activities and travel grants to help young people, families and communities discover and connect with nature.

The company is also on the nature-hunt for “family ambassadors”, with children aged up to 8, to share their Spotty Otter adventure pictures and stories from their favourite National Park. Two lucky families selected per park (at random) will receive free Spotty Otter Forest kit, (down to the all-important puddle-tastic wellies), to take their adventures further, higher, and splashier than ever before.

Spotty Otter MD Rob Merrett says: “Designed from a child’s point of view, we love seeing our Forest kit keeping kids warm and happy as they discover the great outdoors across every season. We’re immensely proud to support the National Parks UK inspiring conservation and community work, with long term investment from our profits- not our customers’ pockets- without adding one penny to our prices.

“We’ve made it simple to apply to be a Family Ambassadors. Visit www.spottyotter.co.uk/national-parks-ambassadors/ then get out to your favourite National Park, anywhere in the UK, get creative, and get submitting!”

Lisa Sensier from National Parks Partnerships says: “Spotty Otter is a great brand whose investment and commitment matches our ethos of access to nature for all. The new ambassadors will be also taking great strides, to inspire more families to pull on a jacket and follow in their footsteps.”

Media Information:

Founded in 2007, Spotty Otter, is an outdoor clothing company, making top-spec, weatherproof outdoor clothing made exclusively for kids.

Their exclusive collections use top of the range Ottertex® ripstop and waterproof fabric (up to 15,000mm), and are graded to the highest sustainable, cruelty- and harmful-chemical-free independent standards, including Bluesign® environmental standard, and OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 confirming 100% harmful substance-free.

Spotty Otter will be donating 15% of all profits from the Forest Ranger and Forest Leader clothing and footwear ranges to the National Parks UK Education Travel Fund.

Two families with children up to the age of 8 will be chosen as “Family Ambassadors” for each park, receiving free Spotty Otter clothing and footwear, and the opportunity to share their Spotty Otter favourite National Park adventures and pictures via the company blog and social media. To apply, see the Ambassadors” page at www.spottyotter.co.uk/national-parks-ambassadors or Spotty Otter on Facebook. A ‘favourite’ park does not need to be the closest National Park geographically to home, it can be one visited regularly with grandparents, or a holiday favourite.

For further media information, photographs or interviews, please contact Spotty Otter Brand Manager – Indy Dhillon on 07734464060 or indy@spottyotter.co.uk

About UK National Parks:

• There are 15 National Parks in the UK, spanning the length and breadth of the country. 10 in England, three in Wales and two in Scotland.
• National Parks cover almost 10 percent of England, 20 percent of Wales and 8 percent of Scotland.
• Each National Park is administered by its own authority, but that authority does not own all of the land within the Park. They are independent bodies funded by central government to:
  • Conserve and enhance the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage.
  • Promote opportunities for the understanding and enjoyment of the special qualities of national parks by the public.
• In carrying out these aims, National Park Authorities are also required to seek to foster the economic and social well-being of local communities within the national park.
• National Parks are free to enter and explore and have 104 million visits each year.
• For more information visit nationalparks.uk

For further information please contact Lisa Sensier, National Parks Partnerships, lisa.sensier@nationalparks.co.uk,  07767 885824.

ENDS