The Lakeland Festival of Light is back for its seventh year to light up Catbells and raise money for a Cumbrian charity.
This spectacular event first took place in Cumbria in 2015 to help raise money for Nepal after it had a devastating earthquake that killed more than 9,000 people.
This year, event founder Matt Le Voi, of Lakeland Mountain Guides, has joined forces with the Michelle Jurd Trust, founded in 2011 by Neil Jurd in memory of his wife, a helicopter pilot in the RAF who died in a car crash.
It will take place on April 1.
Matt said: “We started doing the festival after the earthquake in Nepal – a place that is very dear to us at Lakeland Mountain Guides – because we wanted to do something to help.
“As it started to grow we wanted to help Cumbrian charities, and after meeting Neil at a wedding we will be donating money raised this year to the Michelle Jurd Trust. For us the trust stands for what we believe in and I want to support that to make a difference in Cumbria.”
The trust aims to increase the number of adventures that young people across Cumbria and the South Lakes have access to. They provide education through adventure and exploration, giving some children the chance to experience situations they otherwise would never experience and learn skills that will prove vital as they grow up.
Former British Army Lieutenant Colonel Neil Jurd OBE said: “It’s such an honour to have the Lakeland Festival of Light support the trust.
“It’s such a fantastic chance to show what we’re about and that is being outdoors. Michelle had a passion for Cumbria and adventure, and that’s part of our ethos of living life to the full, seeking meaningful adventure and enabling great outdoor opportunities is something that fits with what Matt and his team are doing.”
Since the festival began, thousands of people have taken part in this unique event that sees lines of light highlight some of the Lake District’s fells.
It will see people line the route to the summit with headlamps and torches creating a dramatic line of light.
Matt has been raising money every year to help charities in Cumbria and the Nepalese people. So far they have managed to raise £67,000, with £16,000 being the most they have raised in one go
