We're Going Bonkers for Conkers - Again!
It's Nuts, but We're Raising Awareness About CO2 Emissions and Feeding our Furry Friends at the Same Time!
Bonkers For Conkers
A couple of years ago, CitiPark went Bonkers For Conkers – a campaign we created to raise awareness about CO2 emissions produced by cars. For a whole week customers who parked at our Leeds and Manchester car parks were able to pay for their parking with conkers!
Why Conkers?
Ben Ziff, Managing Director of CitiPark said this about the campaign:
“Car emissions are on the rise throughout the country. We thought that it would be a fun idea to raise awareness and give a little bit back. We all have fond memories of looking for conkers so this seemed like a great idea for our customers. We are looking forward to seeing how many conkers people bring us.”
What Happened?
We collected truckloads of conkers! Okay, maybe not truckloads, but we definitely could’ve filled at least a couple of Land Rovers. The response to the campaign was amazing, with the BBC, Telegraph, Yorkshire Evening Post, TIME Magazine, Fox, as well as news agencies in Canada, China and India all reporting on the story. Bonkers For Conkers reached a truly global audience.
As part of the campaign, CitiPark sponsored Hetchell Wood Nature Reserve, who were then able to prepare the woodland for the winter months and plant trees in areas that desperately needed them. They also received lots of conkers, which we’re sure the squirrels thoroughly enjoyed.
We’re Still Bonkers For Conkers
“Two years ago we wanted to do our bit to raise awareness about the damage most cars have on the environment. This year sees the return of the aptly named Bonkers For Conkers and we’re looking forward to seeing how many conkers people bring us this season.
On a more serious note, since the launch of the first campaign we have started using more hybrid cars across our business to reduce pollution and show that we care about the local environments where we operate our car parks.” Ben Ziff, Managing Director of CitiPark
This year, for the whole of October, our customers in Leeds and Manchester will be able to pay for their parking with conkers once more. The conkers we collect will then be taken to a top secret garden location on the outskirts of Leeds, where families of squirrels will be able to collect and bury them, ready for the winter and spring months.
Squirrel Cam
We’ve teamed up with award-winning telecommunications service provider AQL to set up a surveillance camera in the secret location; so you’ll be able to see all the mischief our furry little friends get up to live on Squirrel Cam!
Squirrel Cam is a fun way of reminding people that nature is everywhere and that we should all take time out of our busy schedules every now and again to appreciate it. It’s also our way of reminding everyone that it’s important to give back, which is why we’ll be putting all of the conkers we collect back into nature, feeding our furry friends and bettering the ecosystem.
How To Get Involved
Grab the kids, get outside and start collecting conkers! Next time you’re parking in Leeds or Manchester simply pay with your conker collection! When you’ve finished shopping and arrive home, be sure to tune in to Squirrel Cam and watch our furry friends enjoy the nutty treats you’ve found for them!
Conker Clauses – (Terms and conditions)
- One intact conker can be exchanged for parking at a value of 20 pence, up to a maximum of £10.
- A maximum of 50 conkers can be exchanged per vehicle within the validity period.
- Offer is only valid until 31 October.
- Offer valid at the following CitiPark car parks: The Merrion Centre, Leeds, Clarence Dock, Leeds, and 30 Tariff Street, Manchester.
- One vehicle per household can exchange conkers within the validity period.
- The National Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Conkers forbids any conkers that have been used in competitions to be exchanged.
- No cash alternative.
- This offer cannot be used in conjunction with any other promotion or offer.
- CitiPark’s decision is final.