Sustainable transport charity Sustrans is calling for more volunteers to help
look after the cycling and walking routes across Berkshire and is inviting would-be
volunteers to join the current volunteer Ranger group at an evening meeting
in Reading on Thursday 6th September. The meeting is being held at Committee
Room 1, Civic Centre, Reading RG1 7TD, at 5.30pm and Sustrans staff, and local
Rangers, will be on-hand to chat to anyone interested in volunteering for the
charity.

Volunteers will learn about route development in the county and advice on how
to keep routes tidy, as well as hearing local Rangers’ experiences of volunteering
for Sustrans. Over 2,400 volunteer Rangers help to look after sections of the
National Cycle Network throughout the UK by litter picking, improving signs,
cleaning graffiti and cutting back vegetation. Rangers also play an essential
role in promoting Sustrans and the National Cycle Network, helping to encourage
more people to walk and cycle.

The evening meeting will also include an update on the exciting new Connect2
project. Sustrans’ Connect2 project aims to transform local travel in 79 communities
across the UK by creating bridges and new crossings over barriers such as busy
roads, rivers and railways, making it possible for people to walk and cycle
to work, the shops, school and green spaces. Connect2 is one of the projects
competing for £50 million from The Big Lottery Fund’s Living Landmarks:
The People’s Millions, with the winner to be decided by public television vote
this December.

Tony Ambrose, Sustrans’ Volunteer Ranger Programme Manager, is keen to encourage
more people to join the local Rangers team: “We need more help to keep
the routes across the county tidy and attractive, and also help to promote the
benefits of cycling and walking.

“Coming along to the current Ranger group meeting is a great way to meet
our volunteers, and Sustrans staff, and find out more about what the role entails.
We welcome volunteers from all walks of life and of all ages, we can find tasks
for everyone! Being a volunteer Ranger is really rewarding and is great for
socialising with like-minded people who enjoy cycling, walking and looking after
the routes in the community.”

Contact
Anyone interested in coming along to the meeting should telephone Sustrans Rangers
team on 0117 915 0110 or email [email protected].
If you would like to find out more about becoming a volunteer Ranger visit www.sustrans.org.uk/rangers.

Website
Further information about Sustrans, including other news releases and detailed
online route mapping, is available through our website: www.sustrans.org.uk