They aim to complete the entire length of the 73-mile Cumbria Way over five days from April 17, some walkers tackling the full route, others taking part in sections. And they’ll be led by a walker who is going outside of his comfort zone in a good cause.
Organised by the Lake District Hotels Association, they will be raising money for Hospitality Action who provide support to members of the hospitality industry who have fallen on hard times, from physical illness or mental health issues to financial difficulty, family problems to addiction.
Last year they raised £10,500 with two walks which started from Borrowdale and Coniston, meeting up at the Langdale Hotel finishing point.
This year they want to try something a little different, and more ambitious, and they are delighted that James Hallam Insurance Brokers have joined them as headline sponsors. The client director with their Hospitality and Travel team, Craig Shaw, will lead all five sections of the route, from Ulverston to Carlisle.
Craig explained: “We work closely with the LDHA and have been one of their sponsors for a number of years. We are heavily involved with the hotel industry and have been headline sponsors of the Independent Hotel Show for 10 years.
“As part of this 10th anniversary, our Divisional Director, David Noble, challenged his senior team to take up a challenge that is outside their normal comfort zone. My idea, alongside Clive Wilson of the LDHA, was to expand on last year’s successful Walk for Wellbeing. And so the seed was sown for me to walk the full length of the Cumbria Way. I’m a keen fell walker, and I’m completing my last few Wainwrights, but this is my first venture into long distance walking, hence outside my comfort zone.”
He added that all the challenges were on behalf of Hospitality Action and the company hoped to present HA with a substantial cheque at this year’s Independent Hotel show in October.
The organisers also, once again, have a £5000 donation from the David Snowdon Trust even before the walkers take a step.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.
Colleagues from the insurance industry and from Lakes hotels will tackle the whole route, or one of the sections, or they can choose to join one of two circular walks, starting alongside Craig from Coniston (to Tarn Hows and back, 8 miles) and Keswick (to Skiddaw House Hostel and back, 10 miles).
“We are delighted to welcome the support of James Hallam Insurance, and in particular Craig who is going to tackle the entire route,” said Tracey Cragg of the LDHA. “This is proving to be a key point on our calendar, an occasion for staff from different locations to meet socially while raising money for a great cause.”
The Lake District Hotels Association represents around 50 of the finest and largest independent and branded properties and tourist attractions in Cumbria. Hospitality Action, established in 1837, has a long history of providing assistance to hospitality professionals in need.
Craig Shaw added his thanks to The Langdale Estate, Lake District Hotels and Armthwaite Hall for their generous assistance with his accommodation along the route. You can help his efforts here: https://www.justgiving.com/page/craig-shaw-cumbriaway