[B]aines Wilson, Barclays and Lake District Hotels have teamed up to raise a massive £22,548 for three local charities, Cumbria Community Foundation Winter Warmth Appeal, Blood Bikes Cumbria and the Great North Air Ambulance.
Baines Wilson, along with Barclays, took over Lake District Hotels’ stunning Inn on the Lake in Glenridding, for one evening for the Kitchen Rivals event. 90 guests watched teams battle it out to impress with their culinary skills and front of house service. The efforts of the bankers and lawyers clearly made a good impression as diners paid a donation according to their satisfaction with the food and the service. More money was raised through a raffle and a fiercely competitive auction for items and experiences.
After a close contest the team from Baines Wilson were the winners. The total amount was made possible by match funding from Barclays and The Big Give.
Andy Beeforth, Chief Executive of Cumbria Community Foundation said: “The amount raised will make a real difference to older people living in poorly insulated homes in Cumbria. In a bad winter, an extra 300 older people in our county will lose their lives due to the effects of the plummeting temperatures. We need to help change the fact that people are dying in our county because they can’t afford to keep themselves warm in winter. If you would like donate to the appeal, visit www.cumbriafoundation.org/winter-warmth-fund.”
Rod Wickham, Liaison Officer of Blood Bikes Cumbria said: “The money raised will help support our riders and maintain our fleet of vehicles to help us provide a free urgent/emergency transport service across Cumbria for NHS hospitals. We transport blood and related products using a fleet of motorcycles and cars. To make a donation, visit www.bbcumbria.org.”
Sophie Weir, Public Liaison Assistant for Great North Air Ambulance Service said: “All the money raised on the night will go towards the running costs of the service, which will continue to provide world class pre-hospital care. To make a donation, please visit www.greatnorthairambulance.co.uk/donate.”
Baines Wilson, Lake District Hotels and Barclays would very much like to thank everyone who attended and donated so generously to make it a fantastic evening, as well as the local businesses, who provided auction and raffle prizes. These were Ullswater Steamers, Johnsons Apparelmaster, Lloyd Motor Group, Brimstone Hotel, Jason Chambers Photography, CBA Events, M-Sport, Manchester United, Gallaghers Gym, Manchester Joinery, The Necessary Angel, Eddie Stobbart, Sealy, the Inn on the Lake, The Back Bar, Alliance, The Lakes Distillery, Pioneer Food Services, Lake District Paddleboarding, Honister Slate Mine, Cyclewise, Evergreens Florist, EWGA, Live for Today, Rheged, Whinlatter, Askham Hall, 11 Degrees, The Theatre by the Lake, Windermere Lake Cruises, Treetop Trek, Eden Brewery, The Fizzy Tarte, Living North, Jennings Brewery, John Richardson and Son, Sharrow Bay, Armathwaite Hall Hotel & Spa and Silloth Golf Course.