Lovers of the Yorkshire Dales now have the chance to help preserve its famous Three Peaks online.

In August, Calendar Girl Angela Baker became the first person to join a new group formed by the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority (YDNPA) to support and raise money towards the maintenance of the footpath network around Whernside, Pen-y-ghent and Ingleborough.

Now visitors to the Authority’s website at www.yorkshiredales.org.uk can fill in an application form and, for a minimum annual donation of £10, can join the Friends of the Three Peaks from the comfort of their own home.

And a range merchandise to celebrate walking one, two or all three of the peaks is now available in the online shop.

Three Peaks Project Manager Steve Hastie said several people have already taken advantage of the online facility to be found at www.nationalparks.gov.uk/yd_shop/products.asp?recnumber=284 and two had decided to donate £25 for the membership fee.

“It’s a great start to a new service that we hope will encourage more people to help us to protect and conserve this fragile area, which receives about 250,000 visitors a year and, in 1986, was judged to have the most severely eroded footpath network in the UK,” he said.

“The number of members is steadily rising and we hope that, by opening it up to as many people as possible online, we will get more people interested in giving their support.”

The aim of the group is to give individuals or organisations the chance to commit to longer-term support for the Authority’s work in the area. The annual donations will be ring-fenced for work in the Three Peaks area and will help fund an extra ranger, whose main job is to be out on the fells keeping the busy paths in good order.

Another aspect of the three-year project is to encourage charities that stage sponsored walks on the Three Peaks to give their support and donations and to involve local individuals, groups and businesses.

Earlier this month, building materials giant Lafarge made the first donation of materials in the shape of 120 tonnes of gritstone to repair a section of path.

Friends will receive regular newsletters and, as the membership grows, Steve plans to develop opportunities for people to get practically involved or to take part in Ranger-led walks. Sponsorship of sections of path or specific pieces of work is another option being looked at.

There are now several ways of becoming a Friend. As well as the online application, you can log on to the YDNPA website at http://www.yorkshiredales.org.uk/friends_of_the_three_peaks_membership_form.doc and complete the form before returning it to:

Friends of the Three Peaks
c/o Josie Simpson
Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority
Colvend
Hebden Road
Grassington
Skipton
North Yorkshire
BD23 5LB

Along with a cheque made payable to ‘Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority’ and marked on the reverse ‘Friends of the Three Peaks’.

Alternatively, you can visit a National Park Centre and give an Advisor the completed form and membership fee in cash or cheque.

If you have any questions about the Three Peaks Project or about the Friends of the Three Peaks, please contact Steve Hastie, the Three Peaks Project Manager, on 01729 825242 or on his mobile 07818 048767 or email him at threepeaksproject@yorkshiredales.org.uk