Leading property specialists Strutt & Parker are very pleased to announce their sponsorship of the Countryside Foundation for Education. Strutt & Parker will be actively supporting the Foundation in practical ways throughout 2007, as well as helping fund the charity.

The Countryside Foundation for Education exists to educate primarily urban children in the ways and needs of the British countryside, giving those children what might be a unique opportunity to become acquainted with country life at first hand.

Michael Fiddes of Strutt & Parker says, ‘We are delighted to be able to assist the Countryside Foundation for Education with their work. The gulf between urban and rural Britain can seem vast, but this kind of truly inspired work really does help to bridge that divide.

‘As well as helping children from our towns and cities understand how the countryside operates, it’s important that our young people appreciate how food is produced – and to recognise high quality food.

‘It is very timely; The Year of Food and Farming begins in September of this year. The excellent work of the Countryside Foundation for Education fulfils the intentions of that initiative by showing them how their food is produced and demonstrating how good quality, locally produced food is part of a healthy lifestyle.’

The Foundation works with schools to provide bespoke days for pupils, bearing in mind their age and requirements. A total of 36 country estates help the Foundation to provide these children with privileged access to country life and show them how rural life works. This helps give them an understanding of how the countryside goes about its business, and also demonstrates that it is a vibrant and dynamic place - rather than being simply passive and picturesque.

The Foundation together with FFS members reach over 330,000 children every year. In the main these children are aged 7 to 11 and are working on Key Stage 2. The experiences are carefully tailored to fit in with the National Curriculum, and they augment timetabled learning in Geography, History, ESD, Science & Citizenship. The Foundation also provided courses for children with special needs.

In operation for 21 years, the Foundation – which is a registered charity - is based in the market town of Hebden Bridge in West Yorkshire. The Foundation has a small core staff which is augmented by regional representatives. It’s Chief Executive, Gary Richardson, explains, ‘Strutt & Parker’s commitment will enable us to welcome and educate even more children and teachers about the countryside around them.

‘Their support means that we can go further still in helping to bridge the gap in understanding between town and countryside, and in supporting the farming community in their bid to get the real message of the countryside across to people who would otherwise have little or no experience of rural life.’