We’re pleased to offer funding to another five Cumbrian organisations, as part of our Real Hedge Fund grants scheme.

Thanks to generous donations from our supporters during last year’s the Real Hedge Fund at Christmas appeal, we’re giving grants worth a total of £5117.15.

Patterdale Estate, self-catering lodges in Glenridding, will replace 70m of barb fence with a hedge that runs between the two areas of trees, providing better habitat connectivity. The hedgerow will be a mix of native species. 60% hawthorn and 40% a mix of blackthorn, hazel, field mapel, dog rose, dog wood and crab apple.

Threaplands Farm aims to replace some stock fencing with hedges to improve the biodiversity.

Adams Recreation Ground Trust is a charity based in the coastal village of St Bees, providing sporting and recreational opportunities for the community. Adding to an extensive tree and wildflower meadow, the funding will help to establish a native species hedgerow.

St Gregory and St Patrick’s Infant School have been funded to plant and manage a new native species hedge along a school boundary and at the edge of the school wood. This will increase biodiversity and provide the children with new learning experiences, while also providing a privacy barrier.

Bampton Valley Community Pub manages the Mardale Inn. The pub has an LPG tank, a log store, a lime kiln, and plans to install solar panels. But this area is located on the edge of a sheep pasture and they need a barrier to prevent sheep from damaging the tank and store.

The Real Hedge Fund campaign launched in 2021 and to date, we have awarded just shy of £30,000, shared between 24 community organisations, schools and small business from across Cumbria.

 

On 26th July we launch a winning new campaign, to celebrate a summer of sport.

Swimmer Hector Pardoe is one of our amazing Ambassadors and is the face of, and and heart behind, our new campaign.

Last September, Hector set a World Record for swimming the length of Windermere. He used the heroic swim as an opportunity to raise awareness of the challenges facing the lake and raised nearly £1500 for us.

Our new campaign ‘Going for Gold with Hector’ celebrates the athlete’s next endeavour; competing in the men’s 10km Marathon Swim in Paris.

The ambition of the fortnight-long fundraiser is to raise money for our Cleaner Lakes campaign. This will help to fund projects like the Big Windermere Survey, a pioneering Citizen Science project that offers an in-depth view of the life of the lake.

There are 3 ways YOU can get involved and join ‘Team Hector’.

First, can you guess Hector’s finish time? The winner will receive a huge bundle of prizes including kit signed by Hector, entry to the Great North Swim, a Windermere Lake Cruises ‘Freedom of the Lake’ family ticket and a subscription to Outdoor Swimmer magazine.

If you’re inspired by Pardoe’s athleticism, why not take on your own sponsored challenge and do ’10 with Hector’, whether it is running 10km or summitting 10 Wainwrights, everyone can get involved.

A watch party will be held at the Wateredge Inn, Ambleside on Friday 9^th August, with swimming fans invited to enjoy breakfast together and watch the big race. RSVP here!

Lake District Foundation Deputy CEO Sarah Halliwell said:

“While preparing for the race of his life, Hector Pardoe came to us with the idea of creating a summer campaign to support our Cleaner Lakes projects. Hector is an incredible athlete, but he’s also a brilliant advocate for our environment and a true lover of the Lake District. Which is why we’ll be enormously proud of him, regardless of what happens on race day. All that said, he has a decent shot at the gold medal, so you won’t want to miss our watch party on 9^th August. We hope Hector will inspire everyone to raise funds to protect this magnificent part of the planet.”

The men’s 10km race will take place at 06:30 on Friday 9^th August.

Are you ready to join Team Hector?

Find out more about the campaign here >>

 

 

A young woman with Angelman Syndrome is set to climb Latrigg to celebrate her 21^st Birthday and raise funds to help protect the Lake District.

Melissa McComas was diagnosed with the genetic condition, which affects her nervous system, limits mobility and causes epilepsy, when she was just 3 years old.

Despite Angelman Syndrome affecting all aspects of Melissa’s life, she regularly sets herself incredible challenges to raise money for charities. Previous endeavours include walking 1000 miles using her chair as a walking aid – which took nearly a year to complete – and ridding her trike round her local area every day for a month.

Now, to mark her 21^st Birthday, Melissa is set to climb her first Wainwright. With a brand-new wheelchair geared to help her meet the challenge, Melissa has been training for some weeks. The new chair has levers, so is more easily self-propelled, but takes a little getting used to!

The challenge will take place on Tuesday 16^th July, the day when Melissa turns 21 years old, and supporters are invited to join the ascent.

Melissa’s mum Kathryn, who will be accompanying Melissa up Latrigg, along with her elder brother Jacob, said:

“We chose to support the Lake District Foundation because of the amazing work you do to look after the Lake District. As well as your important work educating others, so it will be here for many generations to come and enjoy.”

Melissa’s fundraising goal is £2100 and will be split between the Lake District Foundation and Great North Air Ambulance.

Steve Tokin, Fundraising Manager said:

“We wish Melissa and her team the very best of luck. Enjoy your Birthday in this magnificent part of the planet and thank you for your support.”

Support Melissa at gofundme.com/f/miles-of-smiles-for-melissas-21st

This week our Trusts & Grants Lead Michele had her first opportunity to spend the day with the Fix the Fells Rangers.

Michele was joined by our Fundraising Manager Steve, Fix the Fells Partnership Manager Isabel, Ross and Carol from National Trust, four Fix the Fells Rangers and Cassie the dog.

The day was filled with revelations and has increased my admiration for the team’s dedication and hard work. It was a day of understanding not just the physicality of the task, but the depth of knowledge and passion that goes into every path they restore.

Inclusivity in Action: The team doesn’t just build paths. They collaborate with diverse groups, including walkers and mountain bikers, to ensure the paths serve all users effectively. This inclusive approach has led to results that benefit everyone who traverses the fells. ‘We need to be good neighbours’ was the message from one Ranger and you can see that they feel that is at the heart of their work in the Lakes’ community.

Nature’s Encyclopedia: The team possesses extensive knowledge about every aspect of the environment they work in, from the types of rocks to the species of plant life. This knowledge is crucial in preserving the natural beauty and biodiversity of the fells. Turves are moved with care and root systems intact so that they can root easily and provide a further barrier to erosion. The common butterwort was identified – I had no idea that a beautiful carnivorous plant was eating insects on the path side.

Psychology of Walking: Understanding the psychology of walking is integral to their work. Fix the Fells design paths that are intuitive to find and follow, enhancing the experience for all visitors, keeping footfall away from the delicate landscape. Did you know that a well-placed bund (mound of earth) can deter a walker from creating a new path and encourage a natural pool to bring biodiversity to each route.

Landscaping for the Future: The team is constantly looking at how they can improve the paths and considering potential options for the future. Their work is not just about maintaining the status quo, but about enhancing and evolving the landscape. We heard about how when the Rangers return in a few weeks, they will assess how the changes we made have been interpreted by walkers – literally examining the footfall and making adjustments with creative and intuitive designs.

Hard Work and Dedication: The work is physically demanding, but the team’s commitment never wavers. Their tireless efforts are a testament to their dedication to preserving the fells. We carried mattocks, buckets and shovels up to Walla Crag from Ashness Bridge at a pace that I could not sustain, these folk are incredibly fit and shift 30 tonnes of rock per Ranger each year by hand.

Sustainability and the Local Economy: The team prioritises the use of sustainable and local materials. For example, they use ash felled from ash die back for the tree cages. Ash requires no chemical treatment and the cracks that form through weathering act as winter nest sites for insects. Fix the Fells support the local economy by swapping goods where they can and employing local companies to provide tools and stones.

Love for the Fells and Craftsmanship: Above all, what stood out was the team’s love for the fells and their craft. Their creativity and craftsmanship are evident in every path they build and every stone they lay.

The day was an inspiring, powerful reminder of the incredible work being done to preserve our fells.

Our supporters played a crucial role in these efforts, and I wanted to express my gratitude to everyone who has contribution. The team’s work is a testament to the power of dedication, knowledge, and a love for nature.

Fix the Fells is a partnership project between the National Trust, Lake District Foundation, the Lake District National Park Authority, Natural England and Friends of the Lake District.

Find out more

We’ve launched a new project aiming to improve the biodiversity and water quality of England’s largest lake.

Campaigners have recently highlighted a decline in Windermere’s water quality. Now, we’re partnering with South Cumbria Rivers Trust and Windermere Science Festival to spearhead direct action to restore the life of the lake.

A fundraising campaign is taking place during the national ‘Big Green Give’ week which starts on Thursday 18^th April and ends at noon on Thursday 25^th April.

Our aim is to double £40,000 pledged by local businesses, Trusts and philanthropists, to secure £80,000 to support the life of the lake.

Funds raised will go towards restoring and planting 1400 square metres of reedbeds in Windermere. The project will harness ‘reed power’ which will boost biodiversity, support water quality and reduce erosion, as well as creating sustainable eco-systems.

Sarah Swindley, Lake District Foundation CEO said:

“This wonderful lake, treasured by millions, is facing extreme environmental and climate pressure.

We know the challenges that Windermere is up against, now it’s time to take positive action.

We have an amazing opportunity to raise £80,000 to fund the life of the lake, but we can’t do that without your support.

We desperately need everyone who cares about Windermere to make this fundraising drive count by donating what you can and sharing the campaign with friends, family and colleagues.

We only have 7 days to reach our goal.”

Open water swimmers including Team GB Olympic swimmer Hector Pardoe, who will be competing in the Paris games this summer, have backed the campaign. Pardoe spoke in support of the project:

“Having visited the Lake District for many years now, I’ve become increasingly passionate about preserving its beauty. The serene lakes and lush landscapes have not only provided me with a sense of tranquillity but have also underscored the importance of protecting our natural resources.”

Lake District Foundation Ambassador Thao Nunns said:

“This is such an important campaign and I’m proud to support it. Windermere is an icon, famous around the world for its beauty. The lake is also a vital eco-system and we should do everything we can to protect it for generations to come.”

Nunns, who works with the Lake District-based outdoors group Wonderful Wild Women continued, “There is increased awareness on the challenges facing the lake, but I’m pleased to see real action happening to improve the situation. I hope that everyone who loves Windermere can get behind this campaign and help to raise the funds needed.”

Hue thanks to the business and organisations who have pledged to match funds raised during the week: Langdale Estates, Lakes Distillery, Cedar Manor, Burn How Garden House Hotel, Lake District National Park Authority and the Reed Foundation.

Big Green Give week runs from 18^th – 25^th April 2024.

Support the campaign at lakedistrictfoundation.org/biggive

We’ve got a fresh and bold new look to reflect our mission and values.

Here’s why it was the right time for an update…

Back in the mid-1990s, Nurture Lakeland began to work with the tourist industry here in the Lake District. Their aim was to help businesses and visitors give back to this magnificent part of the planet.

Fast forward to 2017, and the organisation became a registered charity named the Lake District Foundation. With a widened remit, a smart new Director and an ambition to help make the Lake District the best National Park in the world, we set to work.

Nearly 7 years later and we’ve proved ourselves to be excellent advocates and custodians for Cumbria. We’ve already invested over £2.8 million into the region through our grant-giving programmes.

Now we’re established, we wanted to show our personality. Our fresh new brand characterises us as an exciting, forward-looking and relevant organisation, whilst remaining rooted in the place and people we’re working for.

With earthy tones and natural textures, we feel that our new look does a better job of telling our story than our old logo did. We hope you’ll agree.

Rest-assured, although we look a little different, our values are the same.

The Lake District Foundation exists to fund, collaborate and inspire change on things that matter to the region.

Now we’re doing it with a little more style!

A consultant has been appointed to work with farmers across the Windermere catchment.

Meet Hannah Towers, the new Farming Liaison Officer for the Love Windermere Partnership.

The focus of Hannah’s work is to develop a good understanding of how the Love Windermere Partnership can support farmers and help to reduce nutrient input into Windermere.

Ready to engage with and listen to farmers, Hannah is keen to gain a full understanding of any issues and to identify and develop solutions that can be implemented.

Hannah grew up on a dairy farm near Kirkby Lonsdale and qualified as a land agent. She and her family now farm cattle and sheep on a farm at Troutbeck.

Find out more about Hannah and her work with farmers on the Love Windermere podcast.

Local people are invited to take part in consultations on plans to develop two National Trails that pass through Northern England.

The King Charles III England Coast Path is currently being developed and will be a 2,700-mile trail showcasing the entire English coastline. When fully open, it will be the longest coastal path in the world. Together with Natural England and Durham Heritage Coast, we are leading the consultation on the Tyne to Tees section.

The Wainwright’s Coast to Coast route passes through the Lake District, North York Moors, and Yorkshire Dales National Parks. Beloved by walkers for decades, the 197-mile route was given National Trail status in 2022.

There are 17 designated National Trails in England and Wales, which are long-distant footpaths and bridleways that pass through some of the UK’s most stunning landscapes.

The consultations are aimed at maximising benefits of the paths for local communities. The trails should be an asset to people who live and work nearby, so local perspectives are sought to help shape their development.

The consultation is hoping to hear residents, community groups, business owners, land managers and farmers.

Liv Allport, Programme Manager at the Lake District Foundation said: “We’re calling on people local to the National Trails to get involved and suggest how the development of these paths can benefit your area. You are experts on your local area, and we would love to hear from you. Other National Trails have positively impacted towns and villages around the path with increased tourism and other economic benefits. What can this National Trail do for your region?”

To take part in the consultation go to lakedistrictfoundation.org/national-trails