FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
On Saturday 10th June 200 walkers who are part of the groundbreaking group Muslim Hikers will hike a 14 mile trail in the north of Epping Forest, guided by Epping Forest Heritage Trust with support from the City of London Corporation.
Starting from Queen Elizabeth’s Hunting Lodge in Chingford, Waltham Forest, they will head north through the Forest, past the Lost Pond to a lunch hosted by Newham Council at Debden House Campsite. After lunch, they will pass the Deer Sanctuary, iron age camp Ambresbury Banks heading back south to High Beach before returning to the Hunting Lodge.
Haroon Mota, founder of Muslim Hikers says:
“We are very excited to hike through the 50,000 ancient trees in one of the country’s most treasured forests. We’re delighted to be working with Epping Forest Heritage Trust and the City Corporation. Relationships like the one we have with Epping Forest are crucial in helping break down barriers to the outdoors and ensuring communities feel more welcome. There is such a huge demand for inclusive community walks like these, and the fact that this hike for 200 people was fully booked in just 11 hours very much highlights this need. We hope this will be the first of many projects in this partnership”.
Peter Lewis, Chief Executive of Epping Forest Heritage Trust says
“We have really enjoyed seeing Muslim Hikers tackle some of the UK’s most famous hills and mountains over the last couple of years, while tackling the horrific prejudice they face at the same time. We are truly delighted to welcome them to enjoy and explore Epping Forest with us.
The 1878 Act saved Epping Forest for everyone to enjoy, and we want to make that a reality in the 21st Century.
We hope that this event will demonstrate that this fantastic ancient Forest welcomes people from all communities, and that it kickstarts more engagement with more communities around the Forest, so people from all communities can come to love and enjoy the Forest as we do.”
Chairman of the City Corporation’s Epping Forest and Commons Committee, Ben Murphy, says:
“As Conservators, the City Corporation wants to ensure Epping Forest remains a welcoming, inclusive and accessible space for generations to come.”
“I am delighted to see this event has been so popular. I hope it will inspire more people to visit and enjoy the health and well-being benefits of our ancient Forest.”
Councillor James Asser, Deputy Mayor of Newham says:
“We are really pleased to be able host Muslim Hikers for lunch on their hike through Epping Forest. Newham has one of the largest Muslim communities in the country, so it is great to be able to support the group and look at ways we can work with them to encourage more of our community to get involved.”
“Newham are committed to giving people access to good quality open spaces and through our 50 Steps to a Healthier Newham helping people to live healthier and more active lives. We hope that we can support more events like this and attract more Newham residents to visit and enjoy walking through Epping Forest, which is a great resource on Newham’s doorstep.”
Epping Forest is a registered charity, managed by the City Corporation. It is a Site of Special Scientific Interest, a Special Area of Conservation and one of the few remaining extensive natural woodlands in southern England.
Logistics note:
- Participants have been asked to arrive from 9am for a 10am start.
- Short speeches welcoming Muslim Hikers will take place at 9.45am at Queen Elizabeth’s Hunting Lodge.
- Press are welcome to attend the start and take part in the walk.
- Photos will be available after the walk.
Contacts:
- Peter Lewis, Chief Executive Epping Forest Heritage Trust, 07519 550 188, peter.lewis@efht.org.uk
- Haroon Mota, Founder Muslim Hikers and Active Inclusion Network 07743 518 068 hello@activeinclusionnetwork.com
- Ellen Fouweather, Media Officer, City of London Corporation, 07510382456 ellen.fouweather@cityoflondon.gov.uk
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Notes for editors
- Epping Forest Heritage Trust is the charity dedicated to inspiring and educating people about Epping Forest, engaging people in conserving the Forest, and protecting it now and for generations to come.
- Epping Forest is owned and managed by the City of London Corporation as a registered charity. The City Corporation has been conservator of the Forest since 1878 when the Epping Forest Act protected it forever for the recreation and enjoyment of visitors.
- Epping Forest is a historic ancient Forest of over 6,000 acres, rich in biodiversity, culture and heritage, much of which is both a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and a Special Area of Conservation (SAC).
- If you want to find out more about Epping Forest Heritage Trust please join us on Facebook or LinkedIn or follow us on twitter or Instagram. If you would like to volunteer for us, please check out the opportunities currently available on our website. If you would like to sign up to our newsletter please email admin@efht.org.uk.
- This walk is part of a series of partnership events between Epping Forest Heritage Trust, Muslim Hikers, Black Girls Hike and the Hive which has just received a grant from the National Lottery Community Fund.