The Lake District Foundation has launched a new visitor giving initiative to help protect and care for the Lake District National Park.
The Lake District Foundation is encouraging visitors and locals to make a donation to help look after this spectacular place for now and in the future, by offering the opportunity to sponsor a place, project or person – or by making a one-off donation.
This type of donation and fundraising activity was run by the Lake District National Park but will now be carried by the Lake District Foundation on their behalf.
Richard Leafe, Lake District National Park, Chief Executive, said: “We are delighted to be working with the Lake District Foundation to carry out this unique way of raising funds to help look after our paths, gates and fingerposts. This charity is suitably placed to take on this activity, they are part of the Lake District National Park Partnership and they raise funds for conservation, environmental and cultural heritage projects across the Lake District. The money which is raised via this scheme will allow for more people to enjoy exploring the Lake District National Park now and in years to come.”
The Lake District National Park maintains more than 3,100km of footpaths and bridleways. The impact of over 19 million visitors each year, combined with the Cumbrian climate, means the National Park are constantly carrying out improvements and maintenance.
Sarah Swindley, Lake District Foundation’s CEO, said: “We are excited to be working in partnership with the Lake District National Park to present this visitor giving opportunity. Giving people the choice to sponsor a place, project or person, through the National Parks work programme, allows individuals to leave a lasting memory in a World Heritage site in celebration or in remembrance of a loved one. We have created a new easy-to-use donation section on our website to allow people to select what, where or who they’d like to sponsor. We welcome all donations and thank everyone in advance for their support.”
Those who are interesting in making a donation have a number of different choices:
Sponsor specific items – you can view the available items in a particular area via an interactive map and select the item you wish to sponsor. These items include gates, fingerposts and bridges starting from £250 to £1,000+. All have the opportunity to add a personalised plaque
Sponsor any item – you may simply wish to make a donation for any gate, fingerpost or bridge with a personalised plaque but don’t have a preference of where in the Lake District.
Sponsor a Park Ranger – the Lake District National Park Rangers work to maintain and improve access, protect wildlife and support local communities, farmers and visitors. It’s a rewarding job but help is required to fund the work on the ground, from £15+.
Sponsor an Apprentice – the Lake District National Park have a 100% success rate for apprentices moving into employment after training. Sponsoring an apprentice could help fund their training and equipment from £10 for a new pair of hard-wearing work gloves.
Make a donation – our mountains take you to new heights in the Lake District. You can help keep them that way. A small donation makes a big difference, for example £5 could pay for a native tree sapling, £10 could help repair a metre of footpath and £25 pays towards a metre of dry stone wall.
To donate any amount, visit the Lake District Foundation website at https://www.lakedistrictfoundation.org/sponsor-the-lake-district-national-park/
