The Isle of Wight Red Squirrel Trust is launching a kitemark scheme for local businesses as the charity marks Red Squirrel Appreciation Day today (Sunday). Helen Butler of the Isle of Wight Red Squirrel Trust has said:
“The Isle of Wight is a nationally important stronghold for red squirrels and they are a draw for tourists, some of whom have seeing one on their bucket list. Local businesses often use them in their logo or name but the charity does not benefit. “If it wasn’t for our work and raising the profile of red squirrels, this would not work as well. National Red Squirrel Appreciation Day is on 21st January, and we aim to mark the day by launching the kitemark scheme. “This is for our mutual benefit as the businesses signing up get to use our kitemark in return for raising money. It’s up to the business but may be by holding an annual fundraising event for the Trust or commission from a red squirrel-related product (or another product if you wish). “Island Biscuits has successfully contributed for years by donating a few pence from each box of red squirrel biscuits sold. Their average donation is £500 per annum. In 2023, their donation helped fund a children’s book, so of course their name is in the book.”The trust has offered to provide businesses with the right to use their kitemark on their premises, website, and selected products.
The Isle of Wight Red Squirrel Trust will also advertise businesses By:
- Placing the business name on the trust’s website – www.iowredsquirreltrust.co.uk
- Placing name and product on the trust’s Facebook page
- Recognition in the trust’s annual newsletter
- A press release and cheque presentation
To take advantage of the scheme while supporting Isle of Wight red squirrels, email [email protected].
Great idea according to a recent poll the island will soon be all red so these wonderful little animals will be even more at home
its called ‘Squirrel Appreciation Day’ and was invented by an American in 2001. All squirrels are fascinating creatures, red and grey alike 🙂
Seems you are rather slow on the uptake Michael. Presumably because you are an “islander”.
There are actually 285 species of squirrels throughout the world.
‘Local businesses often use them (red squirrels) in their logo or name but the charity does not benefit’
Why would the charity, or anyone for that matter, expect to benefit financially from people or businesses using a squirrel as part of their logo?
Do they think they own the trademark to a squirrel?
That’s an outrageous piece of thinking. They’re basically saying that they own the rights to any image of a red squirrel and people and businesses should pay them to use it.
What next, the Cats Protection League asking for payment for using an image of a cat, or the RSPB asking for money anytime a business uses a bird in its logo or marketing?
Yes it’s quite worrying that they are allowed to roam around your garden peering in your windows trying to work out how much your home is worth..looking to steal peanuts no doubt hhmmmfff
This cannot be described as a kitemark because “the Kitemark is a UK product and service quality trade mark that is owned and operated by the British Standards Institution”. The logo pictured isn’t even in the shape of a kite, which is the point (the clue is in the name – the letters BSI form the kitemark symbol). This whole silly scheme is a weak stunt aimed at raising money but the trust doesn’t own the rights to the red squirrel name. I would tell them go whistle if they approached me. They can buy a whistle from my online shop called Red Squirrrel Whistles.