Nuuksio Classic trail marathon donates 10€/participant to a charity program selected by all runners together. In 2014, it will be about 5000€, which will make a real impact, no matter what the final recipient is. We received many excellent suggestions from runners via facebook and email. Here are the four finalists. When picking up your race material, you can give your vote to one of them. If you collect the race material for other runners in addition to yourself, find out first their favourites and vote on behalf of your friends as well.
A) Saimaa ringed seal
The world’s most endangered seal is only found in Lake Saimaa, Finland. With only 310 of them left, it is extremely endangered but, by acting now, it can still be saved. Fishing nets are the biggest threat to the seal. We support the Finnish Association for Nature Conservation to save the seal. Among other activities, FANC provides guidance in fishing and gives out safe fish traps to the fishers who have voluntarily stopped fishing with nets.
B) Our own nature reserve
The Finnish Natural Heritage Foundation promotes protection of old growth forests. It buys forest in Finland and establishes nature reserves on the purchased areas. Our donation allows the foundation to acquire about one hectare of land for permanent conservation. We will get a certificate of protecting the area and information about its location. Maybe even visit there next summer.
C) Junior Ranger program in Nuuksio
In the Junior Ranger program of Nuuksio National Park, kids will learn about the diverse nature of the park and get an overview of the everyday work of the national park’s employees. Our donation supports Junior Ranger activities in Nuuksio National Park through Metsähallitus (a state enterprise that administers state-owned land and water areas including national parks in Finland)
D) Children’s welfare
The Icehearts model provides long-term professional support for children who require special support in their growth. It also invites children who couldn’t otherwise participate in leisure activities to the team. Our donation to Icehearts teams help them to organise sports activities e.g. through buying equipment and covering costs of sports activity fees.
