At the request of the Kirkby Lonsdale Community Recovery Partnership, Cumbria Community Foundation is launching the Kirkby Lonsdale Fire Disaster Recovery Appeal to address hardship caused by the devastating fire that destroyed many buildings on 8 December 2024.  This appeal will help support the immediate and long-term recovery of people affected by the fire.

The Appeal has been launched with a donation of £50,000 from Westmorland and Furness Council so that the first wave of awards can be made before Christmas.

The fire caused the death of one person and forced 20 people to find emergency and temporary accommodation. In addition, six businesses have been destroyed with a further 78 businesses affected. The fire caused significant internal and external damage to buildings. Demolition work on structurally unsafe buildings is underway.

The Appeal is focussed on individual hardship caused by the fire and will broadly support the following:

• People who have lost their homes and possessions to the fire and been displaced, and
• People who are suffering hardship due to business closure linked to the fire and the loss of income to their households.
• If funds allow, community recovery activities

Immediate hardship needs are being met through the distribution of grant awards by Cumbria Community Foundation, in partnership with Westmorland and Furness Council and the Kirkby Lonsdale Community Cupboard. Grant awards will be made by a committee composed of representatives from the Community Foundation and the Kirkby Lonsdale Community Recovery Partnership.

Angela Jones from Westmorland and Furness Council and Chair of the Kirkby Lonsdale Community Recovery Partnership said: “This fire has caused significant financial hardship and emotional distress to those directly affected and also to the whole community. The full impact of the fire is still emerging, but recovery is likely to take many months, if not years. The community response has been amazing, but many people and businesses have been significantly affected and will be affected for the long term. That is why is it essential that we raise as much money as possible to help support the community with their recovery plans.

“We are also working alongside the local MP, Lizzy Collinge to lobby Government for match funding and if we are successful that means for every pound donated the government would match the same amount.”

 Councillor Paul Cassell, Chair of Kirkby Lonsdale Town Council and a member of the Kirkby Lonsdale Community Recovery Partnership, said: “The primary aim of the fundraising is to support all families and individuals affected by the tragic fire that has devastated our beloved town. We have witnessed so many unseen acts of support and help and give our sincere and heartfelt thanks to all those who have been kind enough to donate. Recovery is going to be a long process, please support this appeal if you can.”

Andy Beeforth, Chief Executive at Cumbria Community Foundation, said: “It is tragic to see such devastation and loss of life in this beautiful market town. The team at the Community Foundation have significant experience of managing disaster appeals and we will bring all our fundraising and grant making skills to help the people of the town.

“We have set an initial target to raise £100,000. The people of Kirkby Lonsdale have responded magnificently to help their neighbours and friends. They have provided practical and financial support including temporary accommodation, food, clothing, emotional help, the use of holiday homes and a number of GoFundMe pages have raised funds to help specific people and the wider community. We look forward to working with the Kirkby Lonsdale Community Recovery Partnership to support people in their recovery from this horrific episode.”

The Foundation is working closely with the Kirkby Lonsdale Community Recovery Partnership.

The Foundation is also coordinating its efforts in relation to the Lunesdale Hall GoFundMe page which has now been closed.

The Appeal is being promoted and supported by Westmorland and Furness Council, Kirkby Lonsdale Community Recovery Partnership, as well as by local news media, regional and national newspaper groups.

Donations and funds are being sought from:

• Individuals and businesses
• Grant making trusts and local, regional and national charities
• Community fundraising events
• Existing and new government funding programmes

Support for businesses

Westmorland and Furness Council are coordinating efforts in support of local businesses including seeking government support for grant aid and suspension of business rates. Charitable appeals are unable to support businesses directly. The Appeal can support business owners and employees experiencing financial hardship as a result of the fire.

About the Kirkby Lonsdale Fire Disaster Recovery Fund

 To donate to the fund, please visit: https://cumbriafoundation.enthuse.com/cf/kirkby-lonsdale-fire-disaster-recovery-appeal

To find out more about the fund, please visit https://www.cumbriafoundation.org/fund/kirkby-lonsdale-fire-disaster-recovery-fund/

Phase one of the fund will provide immediate short-term relief of hardship. Depending on funds available, we hope to make further grant awards in early 2025. To register for support, please contact the Community Hub on 015242 36404.

About the Kirkby Lonsdale Community Recovery Partnership

The Recovery Partnership has been formed to coordinate efforts in support of the recovery. Membership includes representatives from the Town Council, Westmorland and Furness Council, Chamber of Trade, Kirkby Lonsdale Community Interest Company, local churches, NHS Primary Care, Kirkby Lonsdale Community Cupboard CIO and local voluntary groups.

About Cumbria Community Foundation

Cumbria Community Foundation is an award-winning fundraiser and grant maker which has been in operation since 1999. It promotes philanthropy and manages grant making funds on behalf of a wide range of families, businesses, charitable trusts and public bodies. In 2023/24 it distributed £6.8M to projects and individuals throughout Cumbria. The Foundation has run disaster appeals in 2001 (FMD Recovery Fund) and 2005, 2009 and 2015 (Flood Recovery Funds) and in 2020 (Cumbria Coronavirus Recovery Fund).

Cumbria Community Foundation is registered with the Fundraising Regulator. Cumbria Community Foundation is a grant making charity (registered no 1075120): www.cumbriafoundation.org

Businesses of all sizes from across Cumbria have been digging deep to help vulnerable older people keep warm this winter.

Companies up and down the county have given generously to this year’s Winter Warmth Appeal, an annual campaign run by Cumbria Community Foundation.

The Foundation is aiming to raise £500,000 to ensure older people don’t have to choose between heating and eating through the coldest months.

Until 13 December, all donations to the appeal will be doubled, thanks to the generosity of the Foundation’s “match fund champions” – businesses, funders and other organisations that have pledged to match, pound for pound, money given by the public. This means donors have the opportunity of making double the difference.

Today (Tuesday 3 December) is Giving Tuesday, when people around the world are encouraged to give to causes they care about, as a counterbalance to the consumerism of the holiday season, particularly Black Friday.

Dr Jenny Benson, Director of Programmes & Partnerships at Cumbria Community Foundation, said: “This Giving Tuesday, we’d like to say an enormous thank you to everyone who has chosen to donate to our Winter Warmth Appeal so far.

“We know this winter is going to be incredibly hard for many older vulnerable members of our community who cannot afford to heat their homes adequately.

“This year, our appeal is more vital than ever before and I would urge anyone who is able to give to do so today.”

Businesses who are supporting the appeal include Keswick Alhambra cinema, who are once again donating the proceeds of their Christmas Day showings, and will also have collection buckets in the foyer throughout December.

Jonathan Moore and Graham King, two of the cinema’s co-owners, said: “We choose to support the Winter Warmth Appeal because it is an obvious fit with our objectives in opening the cinema – it is predominantly the older population we see on Christmas Day and some of them tell us they wouldn’t have seen another person, if they had not come out to the cinema.  We are also pleased that the money raised is spent very directly on supporting people in Cumbria so those who pay for tickets or make a donation can see that their gift is benefiting the community of which they are a part.”

On Christmas Day the cinema will be showing It’s a Wonderful Life, the 70th anniversary remastered White Christmas, and the new Mufasa The Lion King, plus the King’s Christmas Message at 3pm.

Sellafield Ltd have committed to donating to the Winter Warmth Appeal not just this winter but for the next three years.

Eirini Etoimou, Head of Corporate Sustainability & Supply Chain Development at Sellafield Ltd, said: “Supporting those most vulnerable in our communities is at the heart of our social impact programme which is why we have chosen to support the Winter Warmth Appeal again this year. With rising costs, winter can be a tough enough time for older people generally but especially so in more rural communities like ours. The appeal can make a huge difference to people when they really need it most and ensure that nobody has to struggle to heat their homes in the coldest months.”

Other companies donating to the appeal include Ecological Building Systems, Atkins Realis, James Walker and Center Parcs.

Lorna Graham, Deputy General Manager of Ecological Building Systems, based in Carlisle, said: “Ecological Building Systems are proud to again support Cumbria Community Foundation’s Winter Warmth Appeal. As a supplier of sustainable building products backed-up with full technical support for low energy retrofit and new build projects, we’re passionate about supporting the local community to stay safe and warm, especially this winter.”

Glen Franklin, Village Director at Center Parcs Whinfell Forest, said: “We feel this is an extremely worthy cause, particularly this year with the changes to the winter fuel allowance.”

Many individuals, families and community groups have also given to the appeal; donations of any size will be very gratefully received.

All donations to the appeal received by Friday 13 December will be matched £1 for £1, thanks to the generosity of the Foundation’s “match fund champions”.

They are: WCF Ltd, John Laing Charitable Trust, Cumberland Council, Westmorland & Furness Council, Electricity North West, Hadfield Trust, Roseland Trust, Nuclear Waste Services, Johnson Fund, EMG Solicitors, The Rotary Club of Carlisle, Brian & Ann Clark Fund, Harvey Family Fund, and various private donors.

Last year Cumbria Community Foundation awarded more than £315,000 in grants – through delivery partners Age UK and Copeland Age & Advice Service – benefiting 1,941 vulnerable older people.

Donate online at: https://cumbriafoundation.enthuse.com/cf/cumbria-winter-warmth-appeal-2024.

To donate by cheque or phone, call 01900 825760 between 9am and 5pm, Monday to Friday.

Generous match funders have pledged to double any money you give to Cumbria’s Winter Warmth Appeal.

Cumbria Community Foundation has run the annual appeal since 2010 to help vulnerable older people meet their heating bills.

It says as many as 500 older people die in Cumbria each winter because of problems related to not being able to afford to heat their homes.

This year the number could be higher. Energy prices are typically 10 per cent higher while most pensioners no longer receive the Government’s winter fuel payment and those that do no longer get a cost-of-living top up.

Jenny Benson, director of programmes and partnerships at the Foundation, said: “Older vulnerable members of our community are facing a winter of suffering because they cannot afford to heat their homes adequately.

“The continued support of our donors will be vital.

“We know many pensioners already find winter a struggle. The withdrawal of the winter fuel payment from all but the most vulnerable means this year will be especially difficult for many older Cumbrians.

“Our appeal is more vital than ever before. We want to ensure that no one is forced to struggle during the colder months.”

Donations received by December 13 will be doubled by the Foundation’s “match fund champions” – businesses, funders and other organisations that have pledged to match, pound for pound, money given by the public. This means that donors have the opportunity of making double the difference.

The Foundation’s “match fund champions” are: WCF Ltd, John Laing Charitable Trust, Cumberland Council, Westmorland & Furness Council, Electricity North West, Hadfield Trust, Roseland Trust, Nuclear Waste Services, Johnson Fund, EMG Solicitors, The Rotary Club of Carlisle, Brian & Ann Clark Fund, Harvey Family Fund, and various private donors.

Electricity North West has pledged up to £20,000 in match funding.

Karen Hunter, customer inclusion and partnerships manager, said: “Customers are at the heart of everything we do and we’re always looking for partnerships that make a difference to communities. Hopefully, we’ll see new and current donors get involved knowing their donation will be doubled.”

Jo Ritzema, managing director of WCF Ltd., added: “As a part employee-owned business, giving back to our local communities is part of our ethos. We’re proud to support the Winter Warmth Fund, which provides vital support for vulnerable older people in Cumbria who are facing fuel poverty.

“As the owners of one of Cumbria’s largest oil distributors, Allan Stobart Fuels, we understand the isolation of rural communities, especially during the winter months, which is why we make our most vulnerable customers a priority for heating oil deliveries during cold weather conditions.”

And Colin Cox, director of public health and communities at Cumberland Council, said: “Many older residents are at heightened risk from cold-related illnesses, which can lead to serious health complications. The Winter Warmth Appeal provides a critical lifeline, helping to keep people warm and safe. I strongly encourage everyone who can to support this initiative.”

Last year Cumbria Community Foundation awarded more than £315,000 in grants – through delivery partners Age UK and Copeland Age & Advice Service – benefiting 1,941 vulnerable older people.

Donate online at: https://cumbriafoundation.enthuse.com/cf/cumbria-winter-warmth-appeal-2024

To donate by cheque or phone, call 01900 825760 between 9am and 5pm.

If you know someone aged 60 or over who may need support with heating bills, information on how to claim is online at: https://www.cumbriafoundation.org/winter-warmth-fund/apply-now/