Broadband provider Fibrus has donated over £470,000 to good causes in Cumbria.
The firm revealed it had hit a £1m milestone overall in its community investment programme, which supports grassroots sports clubs, community organisations and environmental initiatives.
Colin Hutchinson, managing director and chief financial officer of Fibrus, said: “We are delighted to be making a positive impact on local people, community groups and families across Cumbria. Knowing the importance of community, we aim to support smaller scale local activities, groups and initiatives, whenever we can.
“Rural and community inclusion has been at the core of our values since the company began so we are delighted to have been able to help so many village groups working to alleviate isolation and ensure that everyone has access to essential digital services.
“We constantly look to support Cumbrian communities in ways that make a real difference on the ground. Grassroots sport in Cumbria has been another of our priorities, and it has been a privilege to give a vital boost to many well-loved clubs often run by volunteers and sometimes struggling to keep afloat.
Community investment will continue to be central to our mission as we grow.”
Fibrus runs a number of funds to channel money towards deserving causes in Cumbria.
Fibrus Community Fund was set up in 2023 to promote digital inclusion and combat isolation, making sure everyone in rural areas from elderly people to youngsters, are connected and have digital access.
The fund is run in partnership with Cumbria Community Foundation, and more than 100 local groups have benefited from the £180,000 distributed so far.
They include 34 community groups last year. Hesket Newmarket shop received £2,000 to buy laptops and iPads so it can offer IT and after-school support to local people.
Cumbria Scout Council was another beneficiary receiving funding for laptops and digital projection equipment to improve online learning access for volunteers, and Brigham Memorial Hall which was able to buy projection equipment to expand village hall activities.
Lisa Blackwell, grants and programmes officer for Cumbria Community Foundation, said: “Reducing digital poverty is crucial in tackling the ‘digital divide’; which will in turn increase opportunities and the health and wellbeing of whole communities.
“Digital poverty is not just a lack of access to devices and digital infrastructure, it also includes a lack of support in using technology independently and with confidence.
“Here in Cumbria, grants from the Fibrus Community Fund have been truly life changing for some of the most vulnerable people in our communities.
“For example, they have funded tablets to help young people with schoolwork or to apply for their first job. They have provided digital equipment for village halls, older and vulnerable people’s groups and people with disabilities, tackling digital poverty and isolation.
“Cumbria Community Foundation’s partnership with Fibrus has been instrumental in driving change in Cumbria and we look forward to continuing our partnership in 2026, bringing digital inclusion projects to even more communities across Cumbria.”
Fibrus’ Play It Forward Fund has boosted a wide range of sports across Cumbria from football to roller hockey and has promoted health and wellbeing.
The fund has distributed £75,000 since 2023 and beneficiaries include Carlisle Riding for the Disabled which was able to buy new equipment to help children ride safely and items for fun sessions to develop their skills and confidence.
Other beneficiaries include Aspatria Football Club, Carlisle Cumberland & Westmorland Wrestling Club, Flimby Vikings ARLFC, Penrith Canoe Club and Carlisle Trampoline Club.
Cumbria Wildlife Trust received £150,000 from Fibrus over three years for an ambitious project creating and restoring 15 species-rich wildflower meadows, to tackle the critical decline in the vital pollinators like bees and butterflies which depend on them.
Enthusiastic locals and schoolchildren – and Fibrus staff – planted thousands of wildflowers, and councils and landowners gave their support.
The Get Cumbria Buzzing Not Buffering initiative has already helped to increase numbers of the nationally rare Small Blue butterfly, in West Cumbria.
Fibrus’ Hyperfast Cumbria Connections Fund has handed out £54,300 over three years, supporting more than 35 Cumbrian causes from youth groups and village halls to small grassroots projects.
Hyperfast GB, delivered by Fibrus, is working to connect communities across Cumbria through Project Gigabit, the Government’s rollout of lightning-fast, reliable broadband. As part of Fibrus’ delivery of Project Gigabit, it committed to various social value initiatives bringing wider benefits to local communities.
One of the beneficiaries is 3rd Wigton Sea Scouts who bought new Canadian canoes, plus buoyancy blocks and paddles, with the help of £1,400 from Fibrus towards the cost.
