The Lake District Calvert Trust is inviting supporters, schools, businesses, and community groups across the UK to get behind its latest fundraising campaign, as part of The Big Give Christmas Challenge, which runs from 2–9 December 2025.

The Big Give is a nationwide fundraising initiative where every donation made during the campaign week is match funded, meaning each pound given has double the impact. This year, Calvert Trust is aiming to raise £65,000 to support its Enabling Adventure Fund — a vital fund that provides an essential financial contribution to help people with disabilities access a life-changing outdoor adventure break at Calvert that they might not otherwise be able to afford.

Chief Executive, Sean Day, said:

“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.

Over the past two years, our team have tackled incredible challenges — from swimathons to superhero triathlons — to help make adventure possible for more people. This year, we’re inviting everyone to join in. We’d love local friends and supporters to be part of our boldest challenge yet — right here in the heart of the Lakes!”

At the heart of this year’s campaign is ‘It’s a Doddle’, a 24-hour ‘Everesting’ mountain challenge that will run from 2pm on 3 December. Starting every hour, teams of at least two people will continuously walk, push, ride, cycle, run (or perhaps even skip!) up the trail beside Dodd Fell, just behind the Calvert Lakes centre.

The route climbs around 300m, and together, staff and members of the public will see how many Mount Everest equivalents they can conquer in height over 24 hours. Alongside the mountain challenge, Calvert is running a playful ‘Find Wally, Fund Adventure’ theme throughout Big Give week – staff are gearing up with stripy jumpers and bobble hats! The aim? Quite simply to help maximise fundraising during ‘The Big Give’.

The charity is inviting local supporters to take part in the ‘It’s a Doddle’ challenge, while also encouraging people across the country to fundraise in their own way or simply give what they can during The Big Give. Whether it’s a Wally-themed fundraiser, a school bake sale, a sponsored walk or cycle, a fancy dress day at work, a straightforward donation, or donating a percentage of sales during the week, every little bit — quite literally — helps. The Trust also encourages supporters to share the fun (and fundraising!) on social media using @calvertlakes.

Sean continued:
“This year’s theme is all about having fun while doing good. Whether you’re walking up Dodd Fell in fancy dress, baking buns in the office, or hunting for Wallys in the school playground, every bit of effort helps fund more people to experience the freedom and confidence that adventure brings.”

The Big Give week runs from Tue 2 December, 12pm – Tue 9 December 2025, 12pm.

To sign up to take part in ‘It’s a Doddle’ (suggested £5 donation), click here. 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.