
Ali Jagger, who has been working for the Green Light Trust for nearly three years, recently moved back home to the North West. But this month she has set herself a goal of walking 195 miles to raise funds for the Suffolk-based environmental wellbeing and education charity
How proud are you of what you and the team achieved at Green Light Trust over the past three years?
Wow – where to start? The Green Light Trust has grown since I first joined in May 2022 with more woodland sites in both Norfolk and Suffolk plus the expansion of our provision for Children and Young People in Norfolk. These are courses specifically for primary and secondary age children who may be struggling in mainstream education. We have been running these courses for many years in Suffolk and now we are working with schools and parents in Norfolk who are looking for extra support for SEN children. I’ve seen first-hand the incredible healing power of nature with the participants I’ve worked with, and it has been a privilege to be part of this.
How sad are you to be leaving Green Light Trust?
Very! I’ve never worked in such a supportive organisation and have been very lucky to have been given the opportunity to grow within it. I started as a Participation Engagement Co-ordinator, then Team Leader and then Operations Manager. However, now my partner has retired we had to (reluctantly) make the decision to return to the northwest of England to live.
Since returning home in November I’ve been working remotely helping set up our Children and Young People’s courses in Norfolk which has been so enlightening. There are so many children who could benefit from an alternative provision based out in nature who may not be thriving in a more traditional classroom setting.
What’s happening this month?
My current contract ended on 1st February, and I was actively looking for a way to continue to support Green Light Trust. A friend told me that another Charity was running a “Walk 100 miles in February” campaign. I thought “How about if I calculate the distance from my own front door to GLT’s Head Office and walk that instead?” It just seemed like a nice personal thing to do. I’d not realised until I logged onto Google maps that it’s actually 195 miles door to door nearly twice as much as I’d originally planned, and I only have 28 days to do it!
How will you train for walking 195 miles?
I’m just going to start and not overthink it. I’ve worked out I’ll need to be out walking with my dogs or on the treadmill for 7 miles or 15,000 steps per day! I’ll tick off the miles daily as I go along.
How can people support you?
I have a Just Giving page here and every penny helps!.
How can people find out more about Green Light Trust?
Green Light Trust is about ‘Building Health, Hope and Happiness through the Power of Nature.’ Through wildlife conservation, woodworking, walks in the woods, campfire lunches and much more, Green Light Trust helps to connect people with nature and each other in a safe and meaningful way.
What will you miss most about Norfolk?
My amazing colleagues, the many passionate people working in other Norfolk agencies we collaborate with, big skies, Jarrold’s cheese counter (for a treat!) and the incredible wildlife (I never could get used to seeing deer grazing by the sides of the roads!).
What are your plans for 2025 – you’re planning to get married?
I am we’ve set the date at Chester Registry Office for 4th July 2025 and it’s my 60th birthday two days before. So, I’m hoping this challenge also will help me fit into my wedding dress! I certainly don’t feel 60 … in my head I’m still 24!
Alison Jagger is fundraising for Green Light Trust
Featured image of Ali and her fiancé Paul – supplied
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