Creation of ‘The Magical Wood’
In line with The Walt Disney Company’s longstanding support of local communities and charitable organisations, Disney Store UK today announced a collaboration with the Woodland Trust aimed at raising funds to create a 50 acre wood which will be named ‘The Magical Wood’. In addition, this initiative will support the Woodland Trust’s efforts to manage more than 1,000 woods around the UK.
Beginning April 2nd, Disney Store is introducing reusable shopping bags with a specially-designed Earth Day logo featuring Winnie the Pooh and Piglet. For each bag sold, £1 will be donated to the Woodland Trust. In addition, Disney Store is planning to charge for its regular carrier bags, with all profits going to the Woodland Trust. In an effort to help increase children’s awareness of the importance of trees, window displays throughout April will be themed around Earth Day and educational leaflets and competition prizes will be available in store.
‘The Magical Wood’ will form part of Heartwood Forest, a 858 acre site near St Albans in Hertfordshire, purchased by the Woodland Trust last year destined to become the largest new native forest in England. The Woodland Trust plans to plant 600,000 trees at Heartwood Forest over the next few years and hopes to involve lots of members of the public and corporate sponsors at every stage.
“Disney Store is delighted to work with the Woodland Trust to connect children and families with our precious woodland to ensure their natural playground is preserved forever,” commented Teresa Tideman, joint managing director, Disney Store Europe. “We have a range of initiatives lined up that will not only raise funds but also educate our guests and cast members on the importance of trees to our environment and well-being.”
Karl Mitchell, director of development of the Woodland Trust, added: “We are delighted to unveil Disney Store as the first company to help us create our groundbreaking Heartwood Forest. By working with one of the world’s favourite brands we aim to inspire thousands of children to look after the environment, as well as creating a fantastic woodland which will excite generations of children to come. The Woodland Trust’s woods are free for everyone to visit and we hope this partnership will encourage families to discover the many fun activities they have to offer.”
The Walt Disney Company’s relationship with the Woodland Trust dates back to 2005 when the company was involved with the ‘Tree for All’ campaign through donations and Disney ‘VoluntEARS’ who helped kids plant trees across the UK. The two organisations also worked together on initiatives surrounding Winnie the Pooh’s 80th birthday celebrations in 2006 and Playhouse Disney’s Playing For The Planet campaign, the first environmental scheme aimed at preschool children.
Notes to editors
For media enquiries contact:
Alex Claydon in the Woodland Trust Press Office, on 0845 293 5691 or 0845 293 5605, email: alexclaydon@woodlandtrust.org.uk
The Woodland Trust:
The Woodland Trust is the UK’s leading woodland conservation charity. It has 300,000 members and supporters.
The Trust has three key aims: i) to enable the creation of more native woods and places rich in trees ii) to protect native woods, trees and their wildlife for the future iii) to inspire everyone to enjoy and value woods and trees
Established in 1972, the Woodland Trust now has over 1,000 sites in its care covering approximately 20,000 hectares (50,000 acres). Access to its sites is free.
About Disney Store:
Disney Store Europe is the wholly owned retail business of The Walt Disney Company, one of the world’s largest and most successful entertainment companies, and part of Disney Consumer Products, the business segment that extends the Disney brand to merchandise. Established in November 1990, Disney Store Europe currently operates more than 100 Disney Stores throughout the UK, France, Spain, Italy and Portugal, and an online store, disneystore.co.uk, offering a magical shopping experience, including quality and exclusive merchandise that supports Disney’s key new releases and franchises.
About Disney's Worldwide Outreach:
Disney brightens the lives of children in need around the world through global outreach programmes, local community initiatives and the Disney VoluntEARS programme. Last year, Disney donated more than $209 million in cash and in-kind support to various charities around the world and since its inception in 1992, Disney VoluntEARS have donated more than 495,000 hours of service. The Disney VoluntEARS programme provides opportunities for Disney employees to contribute their time and expertise towards making a positive impact in the communities they serve around the world.