Firstly, wherever you are, I’m sending my best wishes that you’re safe and well. To quickly update you on my own life, I left home to start my degree and things (as you may have heard) have been vastly different for new and returning students nationwide. I’m so grateful for the conversations and connections I’ve already been lucky enough to make - whether online or in-person and have been thinking a lot about the things we all have the power to do to enact real change in such uncertain times.

I’m absolutely delighted to be writing a series of blogs for the Sockstar Project. If you haven’t heard of them, I’m so happy to bring their story to you alongside an opportunity to support their wonderful efforts. I’ve written to you all before, covering matters of animal welfare and planetary protection so I’m certain the goals of the project will resonate with you as much as they do myself.

The Sockstar Project strives to provide wildlife rangers and on-the-ground conservationists with the basic resources, from socks and boots to tampons and pads, that they need to live and work in safety and comfort. It sounds straightforward  - and the beautiful thing is that it really is and you can play a massive part in protecting the people that protect our world by donating even the smallest of amounts. 

In my blogs, I’ve covered issues including the impact of covid-19, the work of the unbelievably impressive women of the all-female Akashinga anti-poaching unit and, most recently, a call to better understand the diversity of wildlife rangers across the world. You can read the latest blog post here.

It would be easy to think about the scale of threats animal species, and the wider natural world, are faced with and ask what difference such simple provisions can make. The answer is that to overlook such basic and personal requirements of wildlife rangers is an enormous oversight. As I’ve come to better understand through research and writing, the role of wildlife rangers is as dangerous as it is utterly essential. Considering the bravery, integrity and dedication of ranger units everywhere, I would be honoured if you could consider making any kind of contribution to the project. 

Sockstar is run by an incredibly small but massively inspirational team. Lewis Bedford sparked the project a few years ago when he was only 19 and has since worked tirelessly to raise awareness and donations. Only recently, he ran a marathon in wildlife ranger boots to raise money for the cause! 

Every single donation is so meaningful and translates quickly and directly into products which make a massive difference to the day-to-day lives of wildlife rangers. The photograph at the top of this update shows the Ulinzi Africa Foundation’s Tana Delta team receiving a delivery of high quality socks bought with the donations of wonderful people just like yourself. 

To learn more about the project the website is a wonderful starting place (and you can find all the blogs posted so far if you're interested). Thank you so much for your continued support and I do hope you are as won over by this gorgeous project as I am. No matter how big or small, any amount has the capacity to have an incredible impact and you can choose to make a one-off or a monthly contribution. Click here to donate.

Knowing that we can connect with people across the world in an effort to protect our planet, it’s animals and people, certainly makes the world feel a whole lot brighter. 

Much love as always,

Lucy xx