Disney Store creating the Magical Wood
For the second year running, Disney Store UK is teaming up with the Woodland Trust to celebrate Earth Day.
Earth Day, which takes place on 22nd April every year, is a global celebration to inspire awareness and appreciation for the Earth’s environment.
This year, all 60 Disney Stores in the UK will feature themed products that benefit the Woodland Trust as well as host interactive activities for kids to help them celebrate the environment and encourage them to re-use, reduce and recycle.
Beginning 4th April, £1 from the sale of each specially designed Earth Day re-usable shopping bag and £2 from the sale of each pin from an Earth Day collectors range will be donated to the Woodland Trust. This year, the range features the Aliens from Toy Story, to mark the release of Toy Story 3 this summer.
Since Earth Day last year, Disney Store UK has already raised more than £165,000 for the Woodland Trust from sales of the 2009 Earth Day re-usable shopping bag and 1pence from the ongoing sales of every regular plastic carrier bag. This money has paid for 7,000 trees to be planted in what will be become a 50 acre wood in Hertfordshire called ‘The Magical Wood’. This initiative supports the work of the Woodland Trust, which manages 1,000 woods throughout the UK.
From 4th – 22nd April, families are invited to join in the fun of the ‘Alien Invasion’ events at their local Disney Store. Children will be given the opportunity to create their very own Alien out of items from around their home that can be reused or recycled, and in turn help reduce waste. One winner per store will receive an Earth Day goody bag and a one year subscription to the Woodland Trust’s Nature Detective’s Club plus their winning Alien will be displayed in store for everyone to see. Plus, there’s a 10% discount for anyone using their 2009 Earth Day reusable shopping bag, featuring Winnie the Pooh.
Teresa Tideman, joint managing director, Disney Store Europe comments, “We’d like to thank everyone who has helped us raise over £165,000 to date for the Woodland Trust and look forward to raising even more money for this fantastic charity this year through our Earth Day 2010 celebrations. What we’re particularly excited about this year is that our in store activities for kids will help increase awareness about the importance of recycling but in a way that is fun, entertaining and truly magical!”
Sue Holden, chief executive of the Woodland Trust, said: “It is amazing that people visiting Disney Stores over the past year have helped raise enough money to plant 7,000 trees. Well done and thank you to everyone for your support! However, if the Trust is to realise its long term vision to double native woodland cover in the UK work has only just begun so we’re excited about the ongoing support from Disney Store and its shoppers”.
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.