Hotel staff raised £10,500 for charity in one day in a sponsored walk across the Lake District.
Some 60 staff from hotels across the region completed their challenge in Great Langdale after walking from opposite ends of the Lakes. Teams of walkers tackled sections of the Cumbria Way, from Borrowdale in the north, and Coniston in the south, converging at the Langdale Hotel near Elterwater.
The walk was organised by the Lake District Hotels Association to promote the importance of better mental health and wellbeing for everyone in hospitality. It was a fundraising event for the charity Hospitality Action, and the group beat their aim of raising £10,000 in sponsorship for the walkers, from the hotels they work for, and Association sponsors, and their major supporter the David Snowdon Trust.
They were led by staff from the Association’s managers’ group, and each party walked around 13 miles over some of the Lake District’s most challenging passes. Said Ben Mayou, the Association’s chair: “For workplace teams, the event also provided a chance to develop teamwork skills, build stronger workplace relationships and promote an inclusive, collaborative culture. We had a wonderful day and we are thrilled with the response.”
One team started south of Keswick, near Grange in Borrowdale (13.5 miles) and the other at Torver, south of Coniston (12.5 miles), both ending at the hotel on the Langdale Estate for a celebration. The full Cumbria Way is a 72 mile route from Carlisle to Ulverston which walkers tend to tackle over five or six days.
The Lake District Hotels Association represents around 50 of the finest and largest independent and branded properties and tourist attractions in Cumbria.
Hospitality Action is a UK-based charity dedicated to supporting individuals working in the hospitality industry who are facing challenges such as financial hardship, health issues, or other personal difficulties. Established in 1837, the organisation has a long history of providing assistance to hospitality professionals in need.
The David Snowdon Trust was founded by the Cumbrian businessman 25 years ago and regularly supports causes in higher education, the arts, and social needs including causes alleviating poverty and increasing social mobility in rural areas.The other sponsors included: Mountain Goat, Langdale Estate, LWC Drinks, James Hallam, Ecclesiastical Insurance, Ambleside Salutation, Lakeside Hotel and Spa, Caterite, Gilpin Hotel and Lake House, Langdale Chase, Castle Green Hotel, and Another Place, The Lake.