The ‘Original’ Calvert Legacy
In 1794, orphaned and without anywhere to live, William and Dorothy Wordsworth were given their first home, just outside Keswick, rent free, by the Calvert Family. Raisley Calvert was a childhood friend of Wordsworth and believed in Wordsworth’s potential as a poet.
Raisley died, aged 21, of tuberculosis. In his Will, he left Wordsworth the legacy of £900 that was to give him the independence that would allow him to devote himself entirely to poetry and become the Poet Laureate we know today.
Wordsworth immortalised his friend’s legacy in published word:
‘Calvert! It must not be unheard by them who may respect my name,
that I to thee owed many years of early liberty’
Sonnet to the memory of Raisley Calvert
Thus was born, the spirit of Calvert Giving. Over two centuries later, we are so very grateful that it is still alive and well.
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Latest news
Portuguese runner revisits his childhood in fundraising challenge for Lake District Calvert Trust
Growing up in Viano do Castelo, Portugal, Nuno Malo was an active member of his local athletics club. Now the 43-year-old Penrith resident is revisiting his childhood as he trains for a series of fundraising runs in aid of the Lake District Calvert Trust.
Former Keswick resident to take on bike packing and marathon challenge in aid of Lake District Calvert Trust
A 28-year-old woman who grew up in Keswick and fell in love with the area is taking on a 1500-kilometre bike packing challenge across seven countries before returning to the UK to run in her first London Marathon – all in aid of the Lake District Calvert Trust!
Headteacher to take on hat-trick of marathons in aid of the Lake District Calvert Trust
As Headteacher at Threlkeld Primary School near Keswick, Abigail Jardine knows all about what’s good for children – which is why she is taking on a series of fundraising challenges for the Lake District Calvert Trust.
