Ashford Designer Outlet partners with The Aspinall Foundation to support conservation projects and protection of endangered species

McArthurGlen Designer Outlet Ashford has announce its 2022 Charity partnership with Internationally renowned animal conservation charity, The Aspinall Foundation.

As the Centre’s official 2022 charity partner, The Aspinall Foundation will be supported by McArthurGlen Designer Outlet Ashford with fundraising initiatives throughout the year to raise donations for the charity. The ongoing support will ensure the charity can continue its vital conservation work saving and protecting endangered species, as well as rescuing animals in desperate need from around the world.

To mark the partnership, select brands at McArthurGlen Designer Outlet Ashford will be running in-store initiatives for their staff to encourage, as well as promoting the Foundation’s work across the Centre with eye-catching window and glass box displays.

Members of the Aspinall Foundation themselves will also be on site during peak weekends with ‘tap to donate’ donation points to accept contributions. In addition, McArthurGlen Designer Outlet Ashford will be hosting a variety of exciting events throughout the year to support in the fundraising efforts, with details to be announced soon.

Samantha Bailey, Marketing and Fundraising Commercial Director for The Aspinall Foundation, said: “We’re thrilled to be partnering with McArthurGlen Designer Outlet Ashford. Their invaluable support and donations will ensure that our charity is able to continue its groundbreaking conservation work.”

Peter Corr, Centre Manager at McArthurGlen Designer Outlet Ashford adds: “We are delighted to announce this partnership with a local organisation which is making important changes around the world. The Aspinall Foundation work tirelessly in their conservation efforts and we are proud to support the work they carry out, including the much-loved attractions Howletts Wild Animal Park and Port Lympne Hotel & Reserve.”

Founded in 1984, The Aspinall Foundation is a world-leader in wildlife reintroduction. Its global conservation work, spanning over 35 years, covers issues such as the illegal wildlife trade, the recovery of threatened species and the protection of their natural habitats through community-based conservation.

The money raised as a result of the partnership will go directly to funding the charity’s projects; protecting, rescuing, rehabilitating and rewilding animals in some of the planet’s most delicate ecosystems across Africa, Asia and Europe.

Over the past few years alone, the charity has bred, nurtured and released hundreds of animals back into the wild. From its two wild animal parks in Kent and other collections in Europe, plus working on the ground in Congo, Gabon and Java, the charity has released eight black rhino, 180 primates, 11 European bison and over 70 western lowland gorillas back to the wild.