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Engineers swing on the range for charity

A charity golf day has raised £1,500 to support the work of Cumbria Community Foundation.

Park Gate cheque handover to Cumbria Community Foundation
CEO Andy Beeforth (left) with Park Gate & Co Manager, Paul Emmerson (right)

Carlisle’s Park Gate & Co Limited, one of Cumbria’s largest electrical engineering companies invited 55 guests including customers and staff to a Charity Golf Day at Eden Golf Club in June.

The day started at 8.30am right through until midnight and involved two rounds of golf, a raffle and auction, with a presentation meal in the evening.

All abilities were welcomed and everyone enjoyed a fantastic day of golf with one enthusiastic player losing more than 30 golf balls in the rough and the lake.

Park Gate charity golf day out at Eden Golf ClubOrganised by Park Gate & Co Manager, Paul Emmerson, the funds raised will be donated to Cumbria Community Foundation after he attended the charity’s AGM last year. Paul felt inspired to do something to continue the good work of the Foundation in the local community.

Paul said: “This was a fantastic day, enjoyed by customers and Park Gate staff who were very generous with their donations and even the weather held out. It would not have been possible without the hard work of our people and the Eden Golf Club staff who made it an enjoyable and memorable day.”

Park Gate charity dinnerAndy Beeforth, Chief Executive of Cumbria Community Foundation said: “We are really pleased Park Gate & Co have supported us by hosting a charity event. We look forward to distributing the money to some great causes.”

Find out more about becoming a corporate member with Cumbria Community Foundation, or other ways to give.

Northern Fells Group secure funding

Initial funding from Cumbria Community Foundation has helped the Northern Fells Group secure major funding to continue to run their Village Agents initiative in rural areas of Eden and Allerdale.

Big Lottery funding, totalling £175,270 will be drawn down over the next 5 years (October 2015 to September 2020) to consolidate the Northern Fells Group – Village Action Project – an initiative to provide 4 Village Agents, based in 4 villages, in the NGF’s catchment area and the popular Men in Sheds workshop and activities.

Northern Fells Group Village Agents

Village Agents work across the area, providing support to residents – linking them into other services, facilitating a wide range of social activities (including drop-ins, walking and singing groups and health promotional activities) and engaging them in oil syndicates, energy switch advice and other NFG services. The Men in Sheds Project runs a twice weekly woodwork session targeted on older men who may be retired, of ill health or socially isolated, bringing them together to share their practical skills and knowledge whilst creating a range of products including bird nesting boxes and Christmas decorations.

Jenny Bland, Chair of the Northern Fells Group commented: “We are delighted to receive this significant award from the Big Lottery Fund, which will ensure that we can continue to deliver and develop both our Village Agents and Men in Sheds projects.

Help for older people

These deliver essential services to older people by providing companionship, practical support and opportunities to engage in a range of community activities. This award will allow us to meet current and future demands, helping to combat rural social isolation and exclusion, alleviate deprivation, improve access to other services and enable older people to remain independent, living in their own homes.”

Funding the project

Matched funding for the Big Lottery grant has been awarded by The Joyce Wilkinson Trust and the Neighbourhood Care Independence Scheme funding, via Cumbria Community Foundation and the group’s own fundraising activities.

About the Northern Fells Group

The Northern Fells Group was launched in Caldbeck in 1999 by The Prince of Wales as one of his 3 Rural Revival Initiative Projects. It is a registered community charity and a Company Limited by Guarantee.

Its catchment area is the 7 parishes of Boltons, Caldbeck, Castle Sowerby, Ireby with Uldale, Mungrisdale, Sebergham & Welton and Westward & Rosley.

The NFG also provides a community minibus, a Lend a Hand scheme, Benefits Support, a medical loan scheme and Easter and summer youth activities. It is supported by 97 volunteers and 11 part time staff.

More information

For more information contact Libby Graham, Fundraising Coordinator:

  • libby.graham@northernfellsgroup.org.uk
  • 079495 08860 or 016974 7147
  • www.northernfellsgroup.org.uk

Sun shines on Jennings Rivers Ride

500 cyclists rode out of Keswick in brilliant sunshine for the fourth annual Jennings Rivers Ride on Sunday 27 September.

Cyclists take off at Rivers RideThe cycle sportive, set up in the wake of the 2009 floods, raises money for Cumbria Community Foundation to help good causes around the county.

It’s hoped this year’s fundraisers will match last year’s total by raising more than £23,000 for the charity.

The Jennings Rivers Ride is organised by Keswick-based cycling and events company Rather Be Cycling (RBC).

RBC’s Director Cheryl Frost, said: “We’re delighted that so many people took part. The weather was fantastic and everyone really enjoyed their rides. The atmosphere was really friendly and there was a lovely mix of people of all cycling abilities taking part.

“The Jennings Rivers Ride is a special sportive for us. It’s our flagship event and it’s great to see so many people raising money for a good cause.

“I must say a big thank you to all the riders for taking part, our jolly volunteers who smiled their way through the day and our staff who worked like real troopers to make sure everything went smoothly.”

Cyclists from around the country took part in one of four rides: the ten mile family challenge, the 38 mile Community Circuit, the 55 mile Foundation Flyer and the 75 mile Big Day Out.

Family fun at Rivers Ride in Keswick

A number of Cumbrian firms entered teams, here’s what they had to say:

Workington based Iggesund had 15 riders taking part, Head of HR Jonny Lowe said: “The riders have come back full of it, they had a fantastic day, obviously helped by the brilliant weather. The Iggesund team numbers have grown year on year. Iggesund encourage people to get involved and support events and initiatives to do with health and well-being. It is the inclusiveness of the Jennings Rivers Ride which appeals, never mind what level you are at you can take part, from those just getting into or returning to cycling the family ride is ideal and there is something for the keen cyclist in The Big Day Out. The event is brilliantly organises and it feels very safe, which is important when a company is encouraging people to take part.”

Penrith based Handelsbanken entered a team of seven led by Richard Lancaster, he said:

NSG at Rivers Ride

“What a wonderful day to be cycling around the stunning scenery that West Cumbria has to offer. The Handelsbanken Team were all delighted to be involved in the Jennings Rivers Ride this year and out of seven starters, six of us completed the Big Day Out. A huge thank you to the Cumbria Community Foundation and Jennings for organising such a great event. The marshals and volunteers at the feed stations were all so helpful and provided much needed encouragement at just the right times. We will definitely be back next year as a few of us need to try and conquer Honister!”

The Low Level Waste Repository at Drigg once again entered the biggest team with 23 cyclists taking part, they said: “Everyone enjoyed it and at the moment they are keen to do it again next year!”

Warwick Street Osteopaths in Carlisle said: “Our team went out smiling and came back smiling, we had a good day!”

West Cumbrian Shepley Engineers had a team of eight: “We had a good time, lovely weather, good routes for different abilities.”

The NSG Psyclopaths – The Journeys End

And so it came to pass that on Sunday 27th September 2015 (happy birthday Mum!) the early morning sun climbed above the Station Road tree line and cascaded its warm and welcoming rays onto the lush green pastures of Fitz Park. The gathering of the now legendary NSG Psyclopaths had begun. The early bird Psyclos assembled at the appointed hour of 7:30, others and they know who they are, elected for the leisurely lie in and full breakfast before making their way to the park. Soon the gathering was complete and resplendent in their team lycra they made their way to the start line. We couldn’t have asked for a better day and to paraphrase the great Dave Grohl (Times like these – Foo Fighters for the uninitiated):

“it’s days like these you learn to live again
it’s days like these you give and give again
it’s days like these you learn to love again
it’s days like these time and time again”

Well my loyal chums and fellow velominati, we certainly lived, gave and loved – all for the cause!

As I was boosted by the Chemo Diet steroids I set off trying to better last years time however that plan fell by the wayside once my rear inner tube decided that it couldn’t take another pothole hit and finally gave in. A huge thanks go to the two good Samaritans who stopped to assist me in changing the tube. I say assist, they did in fact do it for me following my pathetic attempts that resulted in bits of broken plastic tyre levers flying in all directions over the nearby hedges. Later reports from the other Psyclos confirmed they were having similar problems with another two punctures. But these setbacks didn’t detract from the overall experience of the Rivers Ride. It’s a great event that supports a great cause and I would encourage anyone with a penchant for any sort of exercise and love of the countryside to enter the event in 2016. You won’t regret it!

It was four months ago that I said I would be in Fitz Park regardless of what the NHS was going to throw my way in the form of treatment for the lymphoma and through the support of my family, fellow Psyclos, friends, sponsors and the Foundation I did what I set out to do!! The relief and joy I felt as I entered Keswick eventually hit me and the tears, not of sadness, but of achievement, eventually came and as oCaptain Psyclone journey ended at the finish line in the park the more important journey back to peak health and fitness still continues.

There are an awful lot of people who have helped and supported me on this journey and to name them all individually would be a mammoth task but they all fit into one of the following, so a huge thank you to:

The original NSG Psyclopaths, new NSG Psyclopaths, old friends, new friends, colleagues at NSG, NIS & Hold, all the generous sponsors to my just giving page, Cumbria Community Foundation and of course my Darling Wife.

Special thanks to Andy Beeforth and his Foundation team for continuing to run this event. The organisation of the day was again flawless, the Foundations many volunteers who made sure we went the right way and those who manned the feed stations, were instrumental in making the day so memorable.

More special thanks to all the sponsors who gave so generously, some even watching the total to ensure I hit the £2000 target before I set off. I’m sure Derian House Children’s Hospice in Chorley very much appreciate your generosity.

There is one very good friend who I will single out who’s drive and determination to support me in doing the ride almost matched my own, and that is Psyclo Lozza. Three months ago she had never riddeProsecco Finishn a bike. She trained in wind and rain (and through hangovers) to make sure that Whinlatter wouldn’t be a problem. She is now the proud owner of a magnificent pair of thighs thanks mainly to the hills around Anglezarke and Rivington.  I’m sure she enjoyed the Prosecco at the end. Go Girl!!

Finally ladies and gentlemen (at last!!!), if I have contributed in any small way, with these blogs, to the continued success of this great event then I have succeeded. Indeed, if I have inspired one person to ditch the comfy confines of their sofas and to don the lycra and to get out on their bikes, to enjoy all the pleasures that our countryside provides then again, I have succeeded.

Your journeys to next years event starts here, my journey back to health continues…………

See you all next year.