Standing with the Peaks: Lily Arkwright Donates £500 to Support Wildfire Recovery
This month, as part of our Social Champions Initiative, we’re proud to support the Peak District Foundation Wildfire Appeal with a £500 donation. Following a devastating moorland fire that broke out near Carrbrook and Saddleworth - just a few miles from our Manchester head office - our entire team felt compelled to act.
Smoke from a moor fire near Errwood reservoir in the Upper Goyt Valley near the Cat and Fiddle Forest Distillery on Wednesday.
In late April, a major blaze broke out near Carrbrook in Stalybridge, with over 60 firefighters deployed to battle the flames. The fire spread rapidly across two square kilometres of moorland, sending dramatic plumes of smoke across the skyline and placing nearby communities and wildlife at risk. You can see more about the incident and emergency response in these reports from the BBC and Manchester Evening News.
The Peak District is more than just a national park. For many of us at Lily Arkwright, it’s a place of escape, inspiration, and calm - somewhere we return to time and time again. Seeing the destruction caused by the fire, and the tireless work of those responding to protect this precious landscape, moved us all.
Why the Wildfire Appeal Matters
The Peak District Foundation’s Wildfire Appeal funds urgent conservation work, community education, and support for those on the ground responding to these destructive blazes. Fires like the one we witnessed in April can devastate local ecosystems, harm wildlife, and take years to recover from. This appeal helps provide the resources needed not just to respond, but to rebuild and protect.
A representative from Lily Arkwright explained their motivation:
“This month’s fire felt especially close to home - both geographically and emotionally. We know how important these landscapes are, not just for nature, but for people’s wellbeing and sense of place. We’re proud to stand behind the work the Peak District Foundation is doing, and we hope this contribution helps support both urgent needs and future restoration efforts.”
Upon receiving our donation, Mike Sawkins, Fundraising Manager at Peak District National Park Foundation said:
"On behalf of all the team at the Peak District National Park Foundation I’d just like to extend a huge thank you to you and all the team at Lily Arkwright for the very generous donation of £500 to our Wildfire Appeal through your Social Champions initiative. We are extremely grateful for your generosity, but we also just love to hear from people who ‘get it’ and understand what makes the Peak District such a special place."
At Lily Arkwright, we believe in using our platform for good - supporting both local and global causes that align with our values of sustainability, community, and care. Through our Social Champions Initiative, we make monthly donations to incredible charities, often chosen based on current events or team input.
We’ll continue sharing updates on the causes we support - and if you know of a charity making a difference, we’d love to hear about them.