A warming partnership with global firm Gore

Publish Date: Wednesday April 12, 2023

Fife Coast & Countryside Trust (FCCT) employees are benefiting from a warming partnership with W. L. Gore & Associates (UK) Limited.

Gore have donated GORE-TEX waterproof jackets and walking boots to the charity. As a result, 40 FCCT employees will stay protected, warm and dry as they carry out their valuable outdoor, conservation and maintenance work.

In the longer term, the firm aims to organise volunteer days for its Associates. By doing this they will help FCCT deliver activities including scrub clearance, wildlife surveys, tree planting and meadow surveys.

Important work

The partnership was agreed thanks to Rodger Pheely, an FCCT volunteer and Gore’s Global Supply Chain Leader. He spotted the organisations’ synergy when he was hiking the Fife Coastal Path.

Rodger decided to become one of its 100 + volunteers after being impressed by its important work managing, maintaining and preserving Fife’s beaches, nature reserves and countryside.

He said: “The FCCT team work outdoors all day, often in the wind and rain. When I was sheltering from the elements it struck me that Gore’s protective and waterproof clothing would help make the team more comfortable. And Gore has a rich heritage of giving back to the local community.

“But there will be more to this partnership than the supply of outdoor wear. I’ve really enjoyed the work I’ve done for the trust and have benefited from getting out more.

“This has inspired me and lived up to our Gore brand promise of Together, improving life. It was fantastic to see plenty of enthusiasm from Associates to join me in conserving the open spaces that play an important part in the health and wellbeing of Fife’s communities and visitors.”

Generous donation

FCCT’s CEO Jeremy Harris said: “We’re very grateful to Gore for this generous donation. Furthermore, I’m certain that our staff will really enjoy the benefits of using them.

“I’m delighted that volunteering with us has so inspired Rodger. We’re really looking forward to developing a lasting relationship with Gore in our mission to connect environment and people. Every Gore Associate who gets involved will be making a really important and valued contribution to maintaining and preserving Fife’s amazing outdoor places.”

You can support FCCT’s valuable conservation, engagement and maintenance work in many ways.