To mark their 50th anniversary, Kendal-based adventure guidebook publisher Cicerone have been supporting local disability charity Bendrigg Trust by donating 50p from every guidebook sold. Earlier in the year Cicerone presented a first donation of £5,000 and this week they have donated a further £5,000 which has been doubled by the Big Give Christmas Challenge.
The Big Give Christmas Challenge is the UK’s biggest online match funding campaign and lasts for just 7 days during December. For one week only, every donation made is doubled, meaning Cicerone’s £5,000 became £10,000 for this local charity. The Big Give national campaign has raised over £14 million for participating charities this year alone.
With Cicerone’s help, Bendrigg Trust smashed their fundraising target of £12,000 in the first 24 hours of the Christmas Challenge. The campaign ended up raising £17,618 for the Bendrigg Trust Subsidy Fund which enables socially and economically underprivileged people with disabilities to benefit from the Bendrigg experience.
Senior Fundraising Officer Sarah Garman says, “We have been completely overwhelmed by the support shown this week and we never dreamed that we would reach our target within the first 24hours. Without this financial aid, our participants would simply not be able to take part in these life-enhancing experiences.
“These funds will support around 900 people to participate in a weekend of inclusive adventure activities; gaining confidence, increasing self-esteem and reaching their full potential. For many of our visitors, these experiences are a lifeline, not a luxury. We’re so grateful for Cicerone’s support this year which will help even more people to access the great outdoors.”
