Reconnect Appeal 2026 - FAQs
Frequently asked questions (FAQs) about our Reconnect Appeal.
How will my donation help?
Your donation will help Walk Wheel Cycle Trust improve and create more places that enable more people to walk, wheel and cycle. This means your donation could help more communities connect with nature and improve more green spaces on and around the National Cycle Network, where possible. This could mean; planting native fruit trees to provide food for more insects and wildlife, planting native hedging for birds to shelter in, installing bat boxes for bats to roost and tools for volunteers to help us carry out this vital work. We work with volunteers and local councils to help make your kind donations go further.
Because your kind donation to this appeal is not restricted to specific projects, it can be used wherever the need is greatest in the charity, helping us make it possible for people to walk, wheel and cycle around the UK. A key goal of ours is striving to reconnect 1 million more people to nature by 2030. By supporting Walk Wheel Cycle Trust, you help support these ambitious targets.
How will Walk Wheel Cycle Trust help people connect with nature?
The appeal highlights how the National Cycle Network provides over 5,000 miles of traffic-free routes and acts as one of the UK's biggest green corridors. This potentially gives people opportunities to experience nature as part of everyday journeys and through active travel.
Not only that but through more support, we can help deliver more projects like Wild about Padiham, as seen in the appeal. Projects like these help bring the local community closer to nature while improving biodiversity on the Network.This is done through an array of activities that help people learn and care for their environment, opening the opportunity to really love and nurture the place they call home. We want to be able to provide more activities across the Network which will be open to everyone, but to especially inspire younger generations to get involved.
Activities which were given to the community through the Wild about Padiham Project included:
wildlife walks open to the community, led by experts who share their knowledge of plants and wildlife which calls the Network home
wildflower sowing
planting native hedges or trees
activities specifically for children and young people such as seed ball making, building and painting butterfly boxes, and getting schools involved in the Greenway.
What is the Padiham Greenway?
Padiham Greenway is on Route 385, a former railway line between Padiham and Burnley. This route is an excellent example of work we have done, and what we could do more of, which is featured in this appeal. We want to show you how improving and fixing routes can create safer access to green spaces, support community wellbeing and how working with the community can connect people to nature while making the route greener.
Is my donation being used specifically for Padiham Greenway?
Donations to the Reconnect Appeal are unrestricted, which means they can be used where the need is greatest across the charity’s work. This means that your donation will not specifically be used for Padiham Greenway but could help us to support similar work.
A key goal of ours is striving to reconnect 1 million more people to nature by 2030. By supporting Walk Wheel Cycle Trust, you help support these ambitious targets.
Will my donation directly protect wildlife?
Because your kind donation to this appeal is not restricted to specific projects, it can be used wherever the need is greatest in the charity, helping us make it possible for people to walk, wheel and cycle around the UK.
We have a dedicated Ecology team and manage our land as ecologically important sites. We recognise that the Network offers vital green corridors for wildlife and humans alike, and plant wildflowers, long grass and hedgerows to encourage biodiversity. When managing land along the National Cycle Network, we want to make sure we are conserving wildlife and enhance it wherever possible. And when developing land for new routes, we want every project that we’re involved with to have maximum benefit to biodiversity and wildlife.
We take our obligations seriously, conforming to the requirements of all relevant wildlife legislation and wherever possible, protecting and nurturing wildlife too.
Learn more about this work:
Why does the appeal focus on reconnecting with nature?
Research has shown the decline of nature in the UK, and the rising concerns of decline in mental and physical wellbeing. Many people value access to nature and recognise the wellbeing benefits that come from spending time outdoors.
We believe that your support can be part of the solution, by helping more people walk, wheel and cycle, and enriching green spaces on the National Cycle Network where possible. This can help more people reconnect with nature and enjoy all the health benefits that come with it.
Why have I received this appeal?
You have received this communication because you have kindly supported Walk Wheel Cycle Trust before, and because of the communication preferences we hold for you. Thank you for your past support. If you would like to change how we contact you, our friendly Supporter Care team will be happy to help. You can contact them via supporters@walkwheelcycletrust.org.uk or call 0300 303 2604.
Please include your supporter ID and/or postcode so they can find your record. If you would like to unsubscribe from our e-newsletter, you can do this by scrolling to the bottom of the email and clicking the Unsubscribe button.
Isn't contacting supporters by post bad for the environment?
We recognise this concern and carefully balance fundraising effectiveness with environmental considerations. Our letters are made from 100% recycled paper, and we encourage you to recycle after use too.
Fundraising letters help us communicate with you about our ongoing projects and work, which we feel, as a supporter, you would be interested to hear. We always give the option to supporters, to choose your preferred communication channels.
You can update your communication preferences at any time by returning your donation form and completing the communications preference or contacting our friendly Supporter Care Team.
Can I talk to someone about leaving a gift in my will?
We are incredibly grateful for gifts in wills, which make a huge difference to our mission to make it possible for everyone to walk, wheel and cycle. Please contact our Supporter Care Team if you would like to speak to someone from Walk Wheel Cycle Trust about remembering us in your will.
Still have questions? Contact the Supporter Care Team.
Please contact our friendly Supporter Care Team using the following details:
Email: supporters@walkwheelcycletrust.org.uk
Telephone: 0300 303 2604
Post: 2 Cathedral Square, College Green, Bristol, BS1 5DD