18th Jan 2023
Fix the Fells
An introduction to The Lake District Foundation.
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As a welcome start to 2023 we’re excited to share that we’re partnering with The Lake District Foundation to help raise the profile of the amazing work they do, to ensure we can continue to explore the Lake District for many years to come. The foundation works to look after one of the most beautiful places in the country and over the coming months we’ll learn more about the charity’s work. The Lake District Foundation leads on the fundraising for Fix the Fells. Dickie Felton from the charity tells us more…
Fixing the Fells of the Lake District
Next time you explore the fells of the Lake District National Park you might stumble across small teams of volunteers toiling on footpaths.
They work in the most beautiful locations but often in the harshest conditions.
Fix the Fells repairs, maintains and monitors hundreds of miles of upland paths in this UNESCO World Heritage Site to protect the stunning scenery and precious environment.
The going can be tough and physical as they try to reverse scarring of the landscape caused by footfall and rainfall on paths to the summits. Teams will work throughout the year facing everything the unforgiving Lake District weather can throw at them, come rain or shine.
The Lake District is home to some of the best natural beauty and cultural heritage in the UK which benefits people and wildlife. But it’s a place that also needs looking after, ensuring it can be enjoyed in the here and now; and for generations to come.
Fix the Fells is a partnership programme between the National Trust, the Lake District National Park, Natural England, Friends of the Lake District and The Lake District Foundation.
Strength in numbers
The partnership needs £500,000 each year towards fixing and maintaining 350 paths covering 400 miles.
Twenty-three skilled National Trust rangers and 110 volunteers contributed over 2,200 days to fixing footpaths last year alone.
The work is essential to protect and restore the World Heritage Site with its internationally designated landscape, habitats, species, history and culture.
Fix the Fells’ work stretches back two decades. This dedication was acknowledged by the Campaign for National Parks in 2022 when it awarded a prestigious ‘Park Protector Award’ to Fix the Fells.
The focus for 2023 remains on repairing erosion damage caused by recreation and rainfall, both of which are increasing as more people visit the area and climate change causes more frequent storms.
The Lake District Foundation leads on fundraising for Fix the Fells and collected more than £85,000 to support the project over the last two years. There remains an ongoing need to work with businesses, stakeholders and visitors to raise funds to enable the Fix the Fells mission to continue.
A piece of cake
Hotels in Cumbria sometimes encourage visitors to ‘give something back’. Sunnyside Guest House in Keswick will bake cakes for guests in exchange for a small donation to Fix the Fells. These cakes are often taken up the mountains by walkers in the knowledge the treat is helping keep the fells looking sweet.
The Foundation continues to work on innovative ways to fundraise. In 2022 it launched rucksack covers for volunteers working on the mountains.
The signs display QR codes enabling walkers to donate when they bump into a Fix the Fells team working in all weathers high up on the mountainside.
What can visitors do to help protect the Lake District landscape?
Joanne Backshall is Programme Manager at Fix the Fells: “People can help by sticking to the path surface (not walking along the fragile edges), wearing the appropriate footwear (which can cope with a bit of mud and water) or volunteering with us.
“Most importantly they can donate to Fix the Fells to help look after this stunning scenery and precious wildlife for us all, for the future.”
You can donate to Fix the Fells here.
