Nearly 300 Cumbrian residents and visitors had an exhilarating start to 2024 with the Lake District Calvert Trust’s second annual New Year’s Day Dip.

Supported by local businesses and organisations including Alpkit, Carvetti Coffee and the Keswick ‘Lions’, the Dip took place at Derwentwater at 11 am on New Year’s Day.

The Dip was free to take part in but swimmers were invited to make a voluntary donation to help ensure that people with disabilities continue to benefit from the great outdoors thanks to the amazing work of the Lake District Calvert Trust.

“Our daring dippers made this second New Year’s Day Dip event a huge success,” said Yvonne Booth, Fundraising Officer for the Lake District Calvert Trust. “We are so grateful for everyone’s support. The generosity and enthusiasm from the local community and visitors to the area exceeded our expectations and we’ve already had people looking to reserve their place for next year!”

The Lake District Calvert Trust has a busy fundraising calendar over the next 12 months.

Examples include theCalvert 4x4 Extreme, a disability friendly challenge where people can walk, roll, push or wheel around 4 amazing routes local to the Lake District. Individuals can also raise money for the Trust through their own fundraising challenges as well as competing in events such as the Great Cumbrian Run, the Great North Run and the London Marathon. The Big Give Christmas Challenge will be back in November 2024 when any monies donated over a specific seven-day period will be doubled!

In addition, Calvert is appealing to local companies to select the Trust as its charity of choice for 2024.

Chief Executive, Sean Day commented:

“The work we carry out wouldn’t be possible without fundraising from events such as our New Year’s Day Dip. We are incredibly grateful for the generosity and commitment of our supporters.”

Anyone interested in fundraising for the Lake District Calvert Trust should contact -[email protected]or go towww.calvertlakes.org.uk