[P]eople from all across the North West and Cumbria will be braving freezing temperatures for an all-night sleep out this weekend.
This year, the annual Big Sleep is on Saturday 27th January and is organised by charity, Cumbria Community Foundation. It takes place on the shore of Lake Windermere, opposite the Low Wood Bay Hotel in Windermere. The event aims to raise awareness of the plight of older people who struggle to heat their homes during the winter months.
People taking part are encouraged to get sponsorship for braving the cold winter weather overnight. All money raised supports the Winter Warmth Appeal – a pot of money distributed to older, vulnerable Cumbrians via Age UK to help pay towards heating bills. Since its launch the Big Sleep has raised £100,000.
Andy Beeforth, Chief Executive of the Foundation, said: “The Big Sleep is by far the biggest fundraiser for the Winter Warmth Appeal, which supports a thousand people each year, but we will never have enough money.
“Bad winters have seen as many as 460 excess winter deaths in the county. I hope people will brave the cold and raise what they can for this very important cause.”
There is still time to sign up to the Big Sleep, the closing date for online entries is 10am this Friday. It costs £35 for adults and £5 for children – to enter visit: www.cumbriafoundation.org/bigsleep. The entry fee covers refreshments, an evening meal, activities throughout the day and breakfast.
For more information about the event, contact Anne Meeghan by emailing [email protected] or calling 01900 825760.
A team from Napthens Solicitors, who have offices in Penrith and Kendal are taking part. Jamie Allison, Partner and Head of Real Estate, said: “As a firm we are committed to supporting Cumbria, and our staff have run a number of sponsored events to raise money for charitable projects across the county.
“We want to support The Big Sleep this year, along with our families, as it raises awareness of the issues older people face each winter, as well as it being a different and fun way of raising money for such an important cause – the Winter Warmth Appeal.”
Anna Foster, from Sale, will be celebrating her birthday with her family on the Saturday. She said: “I’m very excited to be sleeping under the stars on my birthday, but I hope it isn’t a cloudy night. Mum isn’t so excited, as she prefers to be in her own bed, but she’ll put on 10 layers of clothes and tough it out!”
If you can’t join the Big Sleep but would like to donate to the Winter Warmth Fund visit: http://www.cumbriafoundation.org/winter-warmth-fund/give-to-the-winter-warmth-fund or phone 01900 825760.
Or you can send a cheque to: ‘Cumbria Community Foundation’ and write ‘Winter Warmth’ on the back. Send it to: Cumbria Community Foundation, Dovenby Hall, Dovenby, Cockermouth, Cumbria, CA13 0PN.
