The spectacular Lakeland Festival of Light is set to return in April – but unless donations from participants increase it may be the last, organisers have warned.
Since 2015, the Lakeland Festival of Light series has raised more than £77,500 for various charities and this year it will again be supporting the Michelle Jurd Trust which aims to help Cumbrian young people and veterans to live life to the fullest through adventure experiences.
The event, which will take place on April 6, is completely non-profit and money is raised through generous donations.
After meeting at the Rawnsley Centre car park, those in attendance then walk to Catbells and then line up from the top to the bottom.
Organiser Matt Le Voi, director of Lakeland Mountain Guides, in a post on social media, said: “Over the last couple of years it is sadly clear that many people are attending the event and not making any sort of donation. Last year we had record numbers on the mountain, and one of our lowest totals.
“I appreciate not all can donate much, but the average donation per person would have been less than £3, and we know many people donated £20 or more, plus we collected hundreds from onlookers by the Lake.
“So, if you plan on attending, please aim to make a donation and support this totally not for profit event. Our costs of running the event are low, and I give my time for free to pull this thing off – which means maximum funds can go to the deserving charity.
“The effort that goes into the event every year is only increasing as the festival grows, and so it would be nice to see the funds raised represent that effort.
“If the 2024 festival is taken advantage of again, then it may be the last.”
