A Cumbrian charity is inviting individuals and local businesses to join staff, supporters and volunteers as they kick off a crucial week of fundraising in just a few weeks’ time.

Following last year’s inaugural success, the Lake District Calvert Trust is once again taking part in ‘The Big Give’ – a nationwide fundraising week extraordinaire running from Tue 3 – Tue 10 December where every penny raised is match funded meaning that when individuals and businesses give once, their donation has twice the impact.

All monies raised during this crucial fundraising week will go towards funding their highly-skilled outdoor instructors who are at the heart of delivering the charity’s objective: providing outdoor adventure breaks to people living with even the most profound disabilities.

‘The Big Give’ doubles the public’s donations made in the week of Tue 3 to Tue 10 December by matching them with Big Give ‘Champions’, which are philanthropists, foundations and companies.

Chief Executive, Sean Day commented:

“Here at Calvert, we believe it’s what you can do that counts. Every single day, our dedicated and passionate instructors find creative ways to help people living with disability to discover what they can do in the Great Outdoors. Now we’re asking our fellow Cumbrians ‘What can you do to help us maximise our fundraising and donations during this very important week in our fundraising calendar?”

Not ones to rest on their laurels, Calvert staff are once again throwing themselves into the challenge ahead. This year, 40 Calvert staff members will take part in a 24-hour Calvert triathlon. From Tue 3 – Wed 4 December 2024, the team, all dressed as superheroes, will unite ‘avengers-style’ to complete an eight-hour swim in the centre’s hydrotherapy pool, an eight-hour challenge in the accessible sports hall and to finish - eight hours riding and carriage driving at the much-loved Calvert Stables, on the outskirts of Keswick. The aim? Quite simply to help maximise fundraising during ‘The Big Give’.

Now the charity wants to hear from others locally who might be willing to either fundraise for the cause or simply give what they can during ‘The Big Give’. Whether it’s your very own Superhero Triathlon, a school bake sale, a sponsored walk or cycle, a ‘wear fancy dress to work’ day, a straightforward donation or a percentage of sales donated during ‘The Big Give’ week, every little – quite literally – helps. And the Trust are keen for supporters to share the fun (and fundraising!) on social media using @calvertlakes.

Sean continued:

“Our Calvert instructors touch the lives of over 3000 guests and visitors who use the centre each year – for some people it’s simply a friendly ‘hello’; for others it’s a life-enhancing experience. Coming together during Big Give week to help raise funds for an instructor in 2025 is something that we all ‘can do’. After all they are our very own superheroes! Please do help us make this year a success.”

The Big Give week runs from Tue 3 December, 12pm – Tue 10 December 2023, 12pm.

To get involved or discuss a fundraising idea, please call the Fundraising team on 017687 72255 or email [email protected]. To make a donation during the week, please visit www.calvertlakes.org.uk.