It is over four months since To Hatch a Crow became the first outdoor media to publish and account of the racially motivated arson attack on black outdoor charity organiser, Sam Farmer and his family at St Agnes in Cornwall. After the story was picked up on one of the world's biggest climbing forums UK Climbing, the initial outrage felt by members of the outdoor community quickly developed a positive and constructive momentum as hundreds of members who had been moved by the story offered help in the form of cash and equipment donations.
Watching the unfolding story develop,some of the UK's largest outdoor equipment manufacturers including, Wild Country, Annapurna and Marmot weighed in with financial support and equipment donations. Leading climber Johnny Dawes also dropped in and stayed with Sam and his family to give his support and with an offer to run climbing courses at the project this summer.
As things stand right now, Sam tells me that progress has continued on an upward curve with work on a new toilet block and showers almost completed. A debating area dedicated to Sam's friend and popular UKC contributor Dave Hooper- who has been battling illness these last few years- completed and a 'butterfly area' -which is a protected wild section of the site- created.
The official plans submitted by The Hope Project seeks permission to build a stable block for horse and larma trekking with changing rooms and a gallery within the structure. THP's planning consultant Paul Bateman said today that he was hopeful that the local authority planning committee would have some positive news on the application by the end of the week.
In the mean time, members of the climbing community continue to turn up at St Agnes to offer hands on help and moral support in the ongoing development of the site.Developments which have been recorded by print/visual outdoor media and news agencies.
Fifty Youngsters from inner city Liverpool are already pencilled in to stay at the site in August and experience what will be for most of them,their first chance to try their hand at outdoor activities and experience living under canvas. An unforgettable experience for them on the fabulous Cornish coast.
The Hope Project
