Gripsure plant trees for team day

As a result of Covid-19, the Gripsure team day was a little different this year, but we didn't let it stop us! From our homes, scattered across the UK and France, we each completed a 5KM walk/run as part of a virtual race, organised by Earth Runs, to plant trees.

Earth Runs is an organisation based on two passions; promoting exercise as a positive action for the body and mind, and the environment. They have combined the two and now arrange virtual races for people to enter from anywhere in the world! Each completed race earns a number of trees which they plant in areas depleted by deforestation in a bid to reverse this damage and recreating habitats for thousands of species. To date they have planted over 3000 trees.

We’re proud to share that as a team we achieved:

  • 40.3 miles
  • 39 trees planted
  • 10,192 living creatures supported
  • enough oxygen for 52 humans

We were over the moon to receive these sustainable medals for our efforts, which are plastic-free, fully biodegradable and packed full of wildflower seeds, making it a bee-friendly addition to the garden.

Since completing the virtual race, we’ve taken a moment to think about how we could continue to have a positive impact on the environment on a more regular basis. As we are in the business of “wood” we’ve decided what better way is there to thank our customers and give something back than by planting even more trees?! We’re excited to announce that we will be planting a tree for every online order from January 1st 2021.

Keep your eyes peeled for more details coming soon!

Gripsure donates decking to Dartmoor Zoo

Earlier this year, Gripsure was delighted to be able to supply Dartmoor Zoo with a donation of non-slip decking, which was used to create a new walkway and viewing platform, allowing visitors to say hello to their three new male geladas.

Dartmoor Zoo, people of we owned a zoo, is located just outside of Plymouth and is home to an array of species, from jaguars to corn snakes. Earlier this year, during the first lockdown, a new enclosure was built to welcome home three new male geladas (a type of monkey). The three males, Bruno (aged 14), Kwame (aged 7 and Bruno’s son) and Soloman (aged 6 and Bruno’s nephew), were already living together at another zoo and are part of the international breeding program for their species.

Since arriving, they have been settling into their new enclosure which has been renovated especially for them to include heating, new lighting, and lots of branches for climbing and enrichment.

The non-slip decking has provided a safe walkway and viewing platform for visitors to say hello to these new faces, whilst maintaining safe access for the staff to reach and provide care for the animals throughout the year. A range of our softwood decking profiles were used to create a rampway making it accessible for buggies and wheelchairs too.

If you’d like to meet them for yourselves, the zoo is re-opening today (Friday 4th December) with restrictions in place. Check out their website for more details. They will also be running special Christmas evenings offering visitors the special chance to immerse themselves in a wild wonderland of light and create magical memories following their enchanting trails around the zoo.