David Plant – Fundraising Officer
Meet David. David is our Fundraising Officer with a habit of doing crazy things on his birthday all in aid of charity. In 2025 on the 5th May he walked 40 miles (4x around the Isle of Cumbrae) to celebrate his Big 4-0!
David was raising money for the Field Studies Council, to fund environmental education for disadvantaged young people.
David says:
“I do a fundraising challenge every year for my birthday. This year I’m 40 so I’m walking 40 miles on Monday 5th May. Field Studies Council are awesome.
It’s a tradition I started entirely by accident. As I moved into work in the charity sector, I did fundraising challenges in 2020 and 2021 that just happened to be near my birthday. The past five years saw me do a couple of big walks, a skydive, the rainbow challenge (basically public humiliation) and even a 24-hour line dance (yes, really!)
I had the idea of attempting a 40-mile walk in one day because I’ll find it very hard and it doesn’t take much organising. In an amazing coincidence, the charity’s Millport field centre lies on the Isle of Cumbrae, a small Scottish island in the Firth of Clyde with a perimeter walk almost exactly 10 miles long. So, I’m attempting 4 laps – that’s 40 miles – in one day on Monday 5th May. I’m doing 4 big Os for my big 4-0.
Anyone who knows me will tell you I am not in good shape. I enjoy a bit of walking, but I enjoy sitting down and eating more. I managed a 30-mile walk once and it was unbelievably hard. So naturally I’m adding another 10 miles on.
Unfortunately, despite the transformational effect they have on young people, residentials and outdoor learning trips are becoming scarce. Cuts to school funding and the increasing cost of living mean children in disadvantaged areas are missing out. This is a real problem as those missing out are most likely to benefit from the experience.
These trips can change lives, and we need more young people to learn about nature so they can protect it. That’s why I’m raising money to provide free and subsidised trips to those who need them. It’s about more than education; outdoor learning builds confidence and resilience that lasts a lifetime. We’re not just saving nature; we’re transforming young lives.
For some people, it’s the first time they’ve spent away from home, or pulled on wellies, or made their own lunch, or seen a sheep. Most of us take these things for granted but financial barriers prevent so many young people from enjoying the outdoors. Who doesn’t like seeing a sheep?
- £35 covers the cost of a day trip to one of our centres for one young person
- £225 could provide a free two-night residential trip for one young person
Funds raised will support Field Studies Council’s two main subsidy programmes: Grants for Schools, and Young Darwin Scholarships.”
