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PHS Direct launches new sponsorship project with The National Forest
11 August 2010
PHS Direct is proud to announce a brand new sponsorship project with The National Forest.
WHY ARE WE DOING IT?
The National Forest is a forest in the making, transforming 200 square miles of central England, spanning parts of Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Staffordshire. Already more than 7 million trees have been planted and woodland cover has been increased from 6% to 18% since the Forest was established in the early 1990s. The eventual aim is for a third of the area to be covered by woodland to create a mosaic of farmland, open space, towns and villages, transport corridors, industrial use, waterways – all framed by woodland.
PHS Direct has embarked on an exciting new sponsorship with The National Forest, by helping to create a particular woodland within the Forest. The project involves the planting of 6 hectares of land at Overseal, just a few miles from the PHS Direct site, with the option to plant further in due course. 
As a responsible business, PHS Direct is keen to demonstrate its social responsibility, and wants to work with the forestry industry who are key in creating the paper products that we sell.
However, the idea behind the project goes deeper than that. James Clark, Managing Director of PHS Direct, explains: “We wanted to support a project that will have a positive effect on the environment, but that also was able to engage with our staff, suppliers and customers in a very real and tangible way. The majority of our staff at our Dordon operational centre live within 10 miles of the Forest, and this enables them to really see the impact of the project, and allows them to make great use of the Forest over the years. We have already seen our staff enjoying and using the Forest with their families, and we are confident that PHS Direct’s involvement will deepen that connection.”
PHS Direct will make a contribution to The National Forest for every box of paper it sells, and will result in 5000 trees being planted every year for at least three years.
PHS Direct’s involvement is also galvanising their suppliers, who are contributing to the sponsorship activity as well. Clark says “We work with responsible suppliers who share our outlook, and we’re delighted that they are able to come on board with The National Forest project as well.”
Sophie Churchill, Chief Executive of the National Forest Company, said: “We’re really fired up by the enthusiasm of PHS Direct for the Forest. It’s a wonderfully creative company to work with and it will be great to have the benefit of their suppliers’ involvement too.”
The site is currently being prepared, with planting due to start in Spring 2011. Clark says “It’s an exciting project that will develop over the years, and we are looking forward to creating a woodland that can be utilised and enjoyed for generations to come.”
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