People from all across the Northern England and Cumbria will be braving stormy weather for an all-night sleep out this weekend.
This year, the annual Big Sleep is on Saturday 9th March 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.
Julian Handy and the Mason Gillibrand Architects team will be joining the Big Sleep again.
Julian, Director, said: “Another exciting adventure lies ahead with the Big Sleep and we look forward to joining all the other participants on the shore of Windermere, all in aid of a great cause. We’re looking forward to the ‘dark skies’ already, albeit maybe not the cold weather.”
Napthen Solicitors have also signed up for The Big Sleep. Commercial Property solicitor, Lucy Benton from the Kendal office, said: “We are delighted to be able to take part in Cumbria Community Foundation’s Big Sleep 2019 to raise vital funds to help keep the elderly in Cumbria warm this year. Next stop…….under the stars on the shore of Lake Windermere!”
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. 
