Devon Event Shortlisted For UK Award

An innovative environmental event born in Bovey Tracey, South Devon has been shortlisted for a prestigious national award.

The Planet Earth Games first took place in Exeter in July 2019 as a sports event, but became a big lockdown hit through the pandemic reaching over 1.5million people across social media, with a unique series of virtual challenges encouraging people to live more active, sustainable lives.

Planet Earth Games has now been shortlisted in the Social Impact, Engagement and/or Education Award Category for the British Sustainable Sport Awards, which will take place at the Oval Cricket Ground, London on 19 October, hosted by BASIS (British Association of Sustainability in Sport)

Following the first month-long virtual event in August 2020 to great acclaim, a winter version was held in February 2021 and the third event again in August 2021.

Daily challenges were fronted by some of the biggest names in sustainable sport in the UK, including Olympic sailing gold medallist and plastic-free campaigner Hannah Mills, Glamorgan cricketer Joe Cooke and trailblazing football club Forest Green Rovers.

Challenges ranged from wild swimming to plant-based cookery to litter picking and even tree hugging!

Participants each submitted evidence of taking part in each challenge to be in with a chance of winning daily prizes from partners like Riverford Organic Farmers, Keep Britain Tidy and Mooncup. Additionally, by successfully completing 10 challenges, participants would win a unique wooden, sustainable medal.

Planet Earth Games founder Chris Broadbent said: “We are thrilled to be shortlisted for the British Sustainable Sport Awards. It is a real testament to the participants who have helped make the Planet Earth Games a real success.

“Everyone behind the event passionately believes in the symbiotic relationship between human health and environmental health. If people are closely connected with nature, they are much more likely to conserve and nurture the natural environment and also reap the wellbeing benefits of being active in nature.

“Our findings back this up, 61% of participants are more physically active during the Planet Earth Games than in a typical month and 87% say they learned something new about environmental sustainability as a result of Planet Earth Games.”

People from all ages and abilities get involved in the Planet Earth Games and by doing so can work on their own health and that of the planet. It is free to enter and – thanks to our partners -we have some incredible prizes to be won every day.