Calvert Trust asks Cumbrians what they ‘can do’ to help during critical fundraising week

A Cumbrian charity is inviting individuals and local businesses to join staff, supporters and volunteers as they kick off a crucial week of fundraising later this month.

For the first time ever, the Lake District Calvert Trust is taking part in ‘The Big Give’ – a nationwide fundraising week extraordinaire running from Tue 28 November – Tue 5 December where every penny raised is match funded meaning that when individuals and businesses give once, their donation has twice the impact.

All monies raised during this crucial fundraising week will go towards funding our 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.

‘The Big Give’ doubles the public’s donations made in the week of Tue 28 November to Tue 5 December by matching them with Big Give ‘Champions’, which are philanthropists, foundations and companies.

Chief Executive, Sean Day commented:

“Here at Calvert, we believe it’s what you can do that counts. Every single day, our dedicated and passionate instructors find creative ways to help people living with disability to discover what they can do in the Great Outdoors. Now we’re asking our fellow Cumbrians ‘What can you do to help us maximise our fundraising and donations during this very important week in our fundraising calendar?”

Not ones to rest on their laurels, Calvert staff have thrown themselves into the challenge ahead by launching a 24-hour swimathon in the centre’s hydrotherapy pool.  From Wed 29 – Thu 30 November 2023, 40 Calvert staff members, all in fancy dress, will continuously swim in pairs for one hour to help maximise fundraising during ‘The Big Give’.

Now the charity wants to hear from others locally who might be willing to either fundraise for the cause or simply give what they can during ‘The Big Give’. Whether it’s a school bake sale, a sponsored walk or cycle, a straightforward donation or a percentage of sales donated during ‘The Big Give’ week, every little – quite literally – helps.

Sean continued:

“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 2024 is something that we all ‘can do’. Please do help us make this first year a success!”

The Big Give week runs from Tue 28 November, 12pm – Tue 5 December 2023, 12pm.

To get involved or discuss a fundraising idea, please call the Fundraising team on 017687 72255 or email fundraising@calvertlakes.org.uk. To make a donation during the week, please visit www.calvertlakes.org.uk.