The countdown is on for The Lake District Calvert Trust’s Big Give 2024.
It is the most important fundraising week in the charity’s calendar and the team have been overwhelmed by the offers of support so far.
Schools, community groups, businesses and families have been in touch to tell them how they are going to help reach this year’s goal of £50,000 which in turn will help support Calvert’s very own superheroes – their instructors.
The Big Give doubles the public’s donations made from Tuesday December 3 to Tuesday December 10 by matching them with Big Give champions – philanthropists, foundations and companies.
This year Calvert’s theme is superheroes, and the community has been getting creative.
Superhero supermarket
Charity partners, Booths in Keswick is hosting a Superhero Takeover on Thursday December 5 – look out for Booths colleagues swapping uniform for fancy dress and don’t miss Tess and Drummer, Calvert Stables’ miniature Shetland therapy ponies, who will call in to see all the goings on!
Fundraising drive
Cumbrian car dealer David Hayton Autostores has agreed to support Calvert during The Big Give week by donating £5 for every test drive they do throughout the week – so if you’re in the market for a new motor, book a test drive between December 3 and December 10 December and you’ll help support the appeal.
Gruesomely gorgeous dinner party
Calvert supporters really do come from far and wide. The Gruesomes, an Ilkley-based golf group and long-term supporters of The Lake District Calvert Trust, are holding a dinner to support Big Give week.
Have your cake – and eat it
Keswick’s Edwin Thompson Estate Agents are staging their very own Bake Off. The Keswick and Carlisle teams are joining forces with neighbouring businesses to battle it out for Bake Champion – the task of judging the cakes falls to Keswick mayor Louise Dunn.
Litter-ally fundraising
Calvert trustee Tony Glynn and his wife Jayne have created their own version of a triathlon. During Big Give week they will be undertaking sponsored litter picks in three locations.
Portuguese custard tart ninjas return
Local inter-abled family, the Bunting Barbosas are back with their free Pasteis de Nata for 2024.
Last year they delivered 250 tarts around Cumbria and raised over £2,000 for Calvert. This year, the target is 500 homemade tarts signed, sealed and delivered during Big Give Week.
Calvert’s superhero 24-hour triathlon
Calvert staff are once again throwing themselves into the challenge ahead.
This year, 40 Calvert staff members will take part in a 24-hour Calvert triathlon. From Tuesday December 3, the team, all dressed as superheroes, will unite Avengers-style to complete an eight-hour swim in the centre’s hydrotherapy pool, an eight-hour challenge in the accessible sports hall and to finish – eight hours riding and carriage driving at the much-loved Calvert Stables, on the outskirts of Keswick.
All money raised during this crucial fundraising week will go towards funding Calvert’s highly-skilled outdoor instructors who are at the heart of delivering the charity’s objective: providing outdoor adventure breaks to people living with even the most profound disabilities.
Chief executive Sean Day said: “What a start to our Big Give campaign 2024! We are genuinely overwhelmed by the pledges of support we’ve received so far. We all lead such busy lives so for so many people to give up their time to help us achieve this year’s target is truly heart-warming.
“Our Calvert instructors touch the lives of over 3000 guests and visitors who use the centre each year – for some people it’s simply a friendly ‘hello’; for others it’s a life-enhancing experience.
“Coming together during Big Give week to help raise funds for an instructor in 2025 is something that we all ‘can do’. After all they are our very own superheroes! A huge thank you to our fellow Cumbrians in advance for all they’ve done so far to help make this year a success.”
To donate whatever you feel able during Big Give week, visit www.calvertlakes.org.uk from noon on Tuesday December 3 and click the donate button to make sure your donation is doubled!.
To get involved or discuss a fundraising idea, call the fundraising team on 017687 72255 or email fundraising@calvertlakes.org.uk.
