Getting Free Press Coverage
So, you're signed up to take part in the Great Gorilla Run 2015. Congratulations! Now that you have taken on this challenge to help save the world’s last remaining gorillas, you need to get as much support as possible.
Getting free local press coverage is a great way to achieve this. It could help to boost your fundraising efforts, inspire others to sign up, and highlight the ongoing plight of the gorillas and the work of the Gorilla Organization.
Thankfully, getting a story into your local newspaper is easier than you might think. Here is a template press release for you to customise to get your fundraising efforts noticed…
What should I include?
Replace the yellow highlighted text with your personal information and include a wacky photograph of yourself preparing for the event - a picture tells a thousand words! Also remember to include contact details for the event andhow they can sponsor you.
Who should I send it to?
The more press releases you send, the more free coverage you are likely to get. Contact your local newsroom, feature editors and picture editors. The newsroom will be able to provide you with names and contact details to get you started. Remember to also post it on your social media networks and tell your friends to share your story.
Who can help me?
If you have any questions or need anything –pictures of gorillas, logos or background information – don't hesitate to get in touch with our Press Team.
Good luck with your fundraising efforts and remember to keep the organisation up to speed with the coverage you generate in your local press. I look forward to hearing your stories and meeting you on the big day itself!
Kind regards,
David Hewitt
Communications Manager
Press Release
Stockport resident David Hewitt is running 8km in a gorilla suit for the iconic Great Gorilla Run 2015
The Great Gorilla Run returns for its 12th year and is intended to be the biggest yet.
When: Saturday 19 September 2015
What: 8k in a gorilla suit
Where: The run starts at Tower Bridge in the city
Why: To join the international campaign to save the last remaining mountain gorillas from extinction
On Saturday 19 September at 10.30am, David Hewitt from Stockport will be joining hundreds of other runners from all over the world to dress up in a gorilla suit and walk, jog or run 8km to raise much-needed funds for the international conservation charity, the Gorilla Organization.
“I have always wanted to do something to help save the remainingmountain gorillas and I can’t think of a better way of doing it," says David.
David will aim to raise £400 in sponsorship, which will be invested by the Gorilla Organization in a range of conservation and education projects in central Africa.
“I’m planning on [sample text – insert own here]getting the whole community behind me, and will be holding collections outside Sainsbury’s, getting sponsored to wear my gorilla suit every time I go shopping this month, and getting sponsorship from local businesses," he adds.You can sponsor David online at
Registration for the event is now open at
Organised by The Gorilla Organization, they are urging hundreds of people to dress as a gorilla and walk, jog or run 8km around the Tower Bridge and St Paul’s Cathedral circuit while passing iconic sites such as The Tower of London.
In addition, The Gorilla Organization’s intention is to raise as much money as possible to save the livesand preserve the habitatof gorillas,whichareconsidered an endangered species. At present, there are only 880 mountain gorillasin the world.These are the famous Gorillas in the Mist, studied by the late Dr Dian Fossey.
This run is considered to be among the best running events in the country, according to The Independent newspaper and Time Out magazine. The run’s patron, and TV conservationist Bill Oddie, says, “This is the most fun event for conservation going on anywhere in the world”.
The gorilla costumes(which runners get to keep)are provided by The Gorilla Organization,along with medals for every runner and trophiesfor the best training video and best dressed gorilla if you choose to wear fancy dress over the costume.These will be presented byBill Oddie at the post-event prize giving.
Ian Redmond OBE, the chairman of The Gorilla Organization, who ran the course in 2009 as Ambassador for the UN Year of the Gorilla, says, “We are excited to beholding The Great Gorilla Run for the 12thyear.”
“We have been overwhelmed by the amount of interest we’ve received inthe pastbut the public’s help is neededmore todaythan ever before.It is for a serious cause but let’s be honest, running through London dressed as a gorilla is a lot of fun!”
In previous yearsthe event has attracted many celebrities, including Sir David Attenborough, dancer Adam Garcia,former cricket bowler and now Question of Sport co-presenter, Phil Tufnell, whostarted the race in 2007 with Olympic world champion Colin Jackson.
London’s Mayor Boris Johnson declared, “I congratulate all those taking part in London's Great Gorilla Run. It is encouraging to know that so many people are prepared to go to such lengths to save these magnificent cousins of ours.”
Whether you’re an individual, or part of a companyteamwho’d like to take part, you can register for the run by going to The Great Gorilla Run website. There is no deadline to signup, however, you are required to pay £50 to register(which includes the gorilla suit which you get to keep), and asked toraise as much as you can in sponsorship.Not only will you be helping the gorillas and the neighbouring communities who depend on their habitat, you’ll never be lacking a fancy dress costume again!
Website:
Ends
For further information or photographs contact:
David Hewitt, Communications Manager
The Gorilla Organization, 110 Gloucester Avenue, London, NW1 8HX
Tel: 020 7916 4992
Mobile: 07816 356513
Email: