Bristol’s bid to become 2014 European Green Capital has been boosted by local ethical business Natracare, which has pledged £1,000 sponsorship for a charity bike ride to the current Green Capital, Vittoria-Gasteiz in Spain.
Making the 1,182 km trek will be Rollo Lewis, co-founder of Bedminster-based green design agency Green Chameleon, who aims to raise £10,000 for two sustainable charities the agency works with – Raw Foundation and Haller. Natracare’s pledge is the biggest so far.
Rollo starts the ride on June 13 and plans to finish in time for the announcement of the 2014 winner on June 29. Bristol is competing against Copenhagen and Frankfurt for the prestigious title.
The city will make its final bid presentation on June 8 and the winner will be announced three weeks later at a ceremony in Nantes, already named the 2013 Green Capital.
Rollo, who set up Green Chameleon last year with partners Tom Anderson and Nathan Riley, said: “We’re so grateful to Natracare for their generous sponsorship. It’s a really good start for our sponsorship campaign. Hopefully lots of other local businesses will join them and help us raise the £10,000 to support the two very worthwhile charities, while at the same time showing they are also getting behind Bristol’s Green Capital bid.”
Avonmouth-based Natracare produces organic and natural feminine hygiene and baby products. Set up by Susie Hewson in 1989, its products are now distributed in 56 countries worldwide. Susie has won the Women in Ethical Business Award and was elected Fellow of the Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufacturers and Commerce (FRSA).
She said: “As a local sustainable business, Natracare are really pleased to be able to support Rollo’s Ride. It’s a big challenge he’s taking on and for a worthy cause. We are also backing Bristol’s bid to become the next Green Capital of Europe – it would be great if Bristol could win it and show the whole of Europe the amazing amount of sustainable activity going on around the city.”
The Green Capital award was established by the European Commission in 2008 and is presented to the city that:
- Has a consistent record of achieving high environmental standards
- Is committed to on-going and ambitious goals for further environmental improvement and sustainable development
- Can act as a role model to inspire other cities and promote best practices to all other European cities.
Bristol Green Capital Partnership chair Martin Bigg added: “We’re very impressed with Rollo and his team at Green Chameleon. They are going to great lengths to help promote Bristol’s Green Capital bid and they are a terrific example of the type of innovative, sustainable businesses our city has to offer. Natracare have created a range of environmentally-friendly products and taken them all around the world – they are a real example of a local business flying the flag for successful sustainability. We’re delighted they’re supporting Rollo’s Ride.”
Haller aims to provide and promote a sustainable and environmentally-sound model for economic development. Its work is based on the techniques of award-winning environmentalist Dr Rene Haller, a UNEP Global Laureate renown for his restoration of cement quarries in Kenya.
Raw Fondation focuses on learning, leadership and systems of consumption and production – in particular the harmful environmental and social impacts of producing, consuming and disposing of material goods
To follow the online campaign for Rollo’s Ride, go to www.greenchameleondesign.com/rollosride.
