As a local business, owned and run by local people, Westmorland is keen to support the local community and feel very passionate about our fundraising.  Last year we contributed over £78,000 to Cumbrian charities and communities.  

Our Staff Community Fund  

Last year Westmorland launched its Staff Community Fund, which enables any member of staff to apply for a grant of money from £100 to £5,000 for part or all of a community project, with £10,000 available in grants each year.  Our staff are an integral part of this process, and the fund gives them a way to give something back to their own communities.   

Our Community Working Group, made up of employees from each site, meets on a regular basis to discuss community and fundraising activities, and is responsible for approving Staff Community Fund Grants.  

Friends of Orton School  

Our first grant of £1500 was given to Friends of Orton School in April to extend the existing play area at the front of the school, which is under used, making it an 'all weather' area of decking and a play house. All the children at school, plus other local groups including the playgroup and after school club will benefit from the grant. 

“The children love playing in and around the new playhouse. It has also been used by the children to organise their own meetings – the football players met there to discuss how to make football better at playtimes.  The younger and older children play together in imaginative play.” Orton School  

Other grants include –

£500 towards Shap Silly Sports Day.  This day brought the whole village and its surrounding area together to enjoy themselves as a family and community.  There were relay races, egg catching, 3-legged races, decorated wheelbarrow competitions for all ages to take part in. 

Little Treasures Nursery and Playgroup, Morland recieved a grant of £1,500 to maximise the effectiveness of their small outside space for childrens learning and inspiration.

£500 - Penrith Rugby Union Fun Day.

£500 – Shap Swimming Pool coin operated showers

£500 - The Kirkby Stephen YOMP Challenge

£500 - Kirkby Stephen, Appleby and Tebay  Methodist Circuit Outdoor Activity Weekend

£1500 – for Football for All to buy equipment to provide football for young people with disabilities in Cumbria.

More ways we support our community….. 

We donated over £28,000 in sponsorship of local fundraising events and donating conference facilities as well as raffle prizes to help raise funds. Including Tebay Fireworks Display and scones donated to Greenholme Show and a Cystic Fibrosis walk.  

Westmorland are proud to support Cumbria Community Foundation, a local charity who provide a means by which people and organisations can make a difference to the most disadvantaged people in our Cumbria.   This spectacular picture, taken on Buttermere show teenager Matt Whitehurst defeat logic by pedalling on top of the 75ft deep lake - without sinking. Matt, a Cockermouth School pupil carried out the jaw-dropping stunt to raise awareness of the Jennings Rivers Ride. It wasn't a camera trick, the photo is real.

Cyclists can choose to take part in one of three separate rides taking place on the day - the family ride, the middle distance event or the Big Day Out ride - all starting and finishing in Keswick. It’s not all about cycling; the event will also include a family fun day in Fitz Park, Keswick where there will also be a Create stand from Rheged. For further information visit www.cumbriafoundation.org/jennings-rivers-ride

The Westmorland Hotel and Rheged helped to raise money for Nurture Lakeland to support Experience the River, environmental education of local school children on our rivers, and a new footpath in Penruddock which enables school children to walk to school safely.    

Take a look at what we have been up to in the last 6 months in our Charity & Community Newsletter.