Who We Are
We’re Earth Runs CIC, and we believe in inspiring active lifestyles while making a difference for the planet. As part of what we do, we handcraft biodegradable, seeded medals as a sustainable alternative to cheap, throwaway awards and show the positive impact individuals and events can make.
Why We Do It
Because winning shouldn’t cost the earth! Every year, sports events hand out mountains of mass-produced, imported medals and t-shirts that often end up in landfill. We’re here to change that with medals that do more than celebrate your achievement—they create a positive ripple effect for the recipient, the people who make them, and the planet.
What Are They?
Our medals are the greenest out there! Handmade from recycled paper and card, they’re:
- Plastic-free and biodegradable.
- Embedded with wildflower seeds to help bees and other pollinators.
- Paired with tree planting—one tree for every medal sold.
- Delivered with an impact report so participants can see the tangible difference they’ve made.
When the medal has done its job, you can plant it and watch it bloom into a legacy of wildflowers and know that you’ve also planted a tree for the planet too.
Our Story
Ever finished a race, proudly held your medal, and a few months later thought, “What do I do with this now?” We have too.
That’s why our founder, Tash, decided to do something about it. After unsuccessfully searching for a way to recycle her daughter’s gym medals, she had an idea: why not create medals that give back?
As a runner and an environmentalist, Tash started Earth Runs, a Community Interest Company that plants trees in exchange for active challenges like virtual challenges. People loved it—but they kept asking for medals. So, Tash designed the greenest medal possible, one that grows something beautiful for the future.
The idea blossomed (sorry about the pun), and soon we were fielding requests from event organisers looking for a sustainable alternative to traditional medals. That’s how earthrunsmedals.org came to life.
Now, 18 months later, demand is booming, and we need to scale up. But we’re determined to grow in a way that stays true to our values—crafted with care, sustainability, and purpose.
What We’re Raising Money For
Tash understands the challenges of finding flexible work. As a carer for her autistic daughter and having grown up with a mum who had Lupus, she knows how chronic conditions and caregiving responsibilities can make traditional jobs feel impossible.
We want to change that.
Our dream is to set up a ‘Makers Hub’—a welcoming space where individuals with unique challenges can drop in, create medals, and earn a fair wage, in a way that works with the limitations their lives may have. Whether they’re managing fluctuating health or caregiving schedules, they’ll find meaningful work that fits around them.
This isn’t just about jobs; it’s about purpose, empowerment, and creating something meaningful together.
Why the need to support Carers and other marginalised individuals
Our first Makers Hub will be based in North Devon. A beautiful location with access to outstanding natural beauty, but one that suffers from social deprivation.
According to a YouGov Survey there are over 160,000 carers in Devon. 28% of these are economically inactive; unable to find work because of their care-giving responsibilities. 75% of carers worry about juggling work and care, 65% have given up employment because of caring. Social isolation is also one of the fundamental issues facing carers, with 8/10 carers feeling lonely or socially isolated.
Other marginalised individuals such as those suffering from chronic health conditions, disabilities or age-related conditions, face similar issues, unable to commit to the standard 9-5 hours of work, but feeling isolated, frustrated and not able to contribute, they are left feeling sidelined.
We want to change that by giving everyone the opportunity to work hours that suit them, doing a job that counts and helps make a difference to the planet too.
How You Can Help
We need your support to help us to:
- Secure and set up an affordable premises.
- Purchase additional equipment to keep up with demand.
- Train and support our Makers.
- Grow our impact.
Every contribution helps us do good:
- For the Makers: Fair, flexible work for those who lack access to it otherwise.
- For the Planet: Wildflowers for pollinators and trees for the future.
- For Event Participants: A medal they can treasure—and plant!
When you support us, you’re not just funding future medals—you’re planting seeds of change, for people and the planet. We hope you can help grow something incredible together.
Thank you for anything you can do to support us.