Park Cliffe raises £1,500

A total of £1,500 has been raised by a Windermere caravan park to help repair popular upland footpaths in the Lake District.

The money, which will go to the Fix the Fells programme, has come from a year of fundraising activities at Park Cliffe Caravan Park near Windermere in Cumbria.

During 2017 the caravan park organised a duck race, a quiz, a raffle and a bonfire night for their visitors.  They also invited guests to make an on-line donation to Fix the Fells when booking and kept a collection box in their reception.

Susan Dickson, owner of Park Cliffe, said, “We’ve been really proud to be associated with Fix the Fells throughout 2017. We welcome a large number of guests to Park Cliffe each year, many of whom come here to walk and enjoy the glorious landscape we are lucky enough to live and work in. With so many people staying with us, there is an obvious impact on the surrounding fells, so it seemed only right that we put something back in order that future visitors and locals alike can continue to enjoy the paths and tracks that Fix the Fells work so hard to keep in good order”.

Fix the Fells is a partnership project which repairs the damage to mountain paths in the Lake District.  Millions of visitors to the area mean that upland paths suffer from the effects of millions of pairs of feet.  Trampling can kill the vegetation and lead to erosion which causes soil to be washed into streams and lakes and ugly scars in the landscape.  Fix the Fells works to improve these paths to protect the beauty of this stunning scenery which attracts so many visitors to the area.

Joanne Backshall, Programme Manager for Fix the Fells, said, “We are really grateful to have received this contribution from Park Cliffe which will make such a difference to the Lake District’s upland paths.  Park Cliffe has organised a whole variety of fun activities for visitors to enjoy whilst donating to our cause.  Their contributions will help us to protect the surrounding landscape from damage and erosion so that it remains beautiful for all to enjoy.”

The money will be used to repair and maintain popular paths such as the routes up to the summits of Helvellyn and Scafell Pike.  The work will be carried out by teams of skilled National Trust Rangers working with an army of over 100 dedicated volunteers who are passionate about fixing the fells!

Sarah Swindley, Director of Nurture Lakeland, said, “This is a great example of a responsible tourism business which is keen to help maintain the landscape in which they sit.  They have enabled many small donations from visitors to the Lake District to add up to a great deal and to contribute towards the costs of keeping it beautiful.”

Park Cliffe is one of many businesses in the area which works with Nurture Lakeland to support Fix the Fells, to give something back to the landscape which attracts their clients.  To find out how your business can take part, please contact Nurture Lakeland.