The Lake District Foundation is celebrating its second birthday this week, by announcing it is making grants available of up to £2,500 for local projects designed to care for the National Park.

Set up to connect visitors and tourism businesses with the teams behind local conservation projects, the charity says it’s been a whirlwind 24 months since registering with the Charity Commission on August 9th 2017.

More than 200 businesses have signed up to work with the charity, which raised almost £400,000 in its first year alone, split among 16 different projects.

Building on the legacy of its predecessor Nurture Lakeland, the LDF’s support included a grant to help re-connect the storm-damaged Keswick to Threlkeld railway path, The Lake District Osprey Project and the Fix the Fells scheme.

Now, as the charity comes to the end of its second year, its grants programme is being thrown open to further projects across North Cumbria and The Lakes.

LDF director Sarah Swindley says, “It’s been another very busy year for the team here at The Lake District Foundation, raising money and exploring new ways of working. We work across Cumbria, but we’re delighted to say that in the north, we’ve made a grant of £13,000 to help look after the ever-popular Ullswater Way.

“We’re also exploring contactless and online giving and would love any News & Star readers to consider donating whatever they can afford – no matter how small, at our donation points at Glenridding pier. We also now offer everyone the opportunity to sponsor a signpost on their favourite stretch of footpath, so if you have a view that is special to you or your family then please do get in touch.

“Growing a new charity is an amazing challenge for any third sector leader and the second year can be the toughest. But although we’re only a tiny team, we’re working hard to achieve our ambitious goals.

“Our influential trustees are the heart of our organisation and I would like to thank the board, my staff and our volunteers for all this hard work. We have also had incredible support from Cumbria Tourism, which recognises the necessity of an independent charity working to raise these types of funds.”

Cumbria Tourism chairman Jim Walker – who is also chairman of Eden Tourism Network and the North Lakes China Forum, added: “We look forward to continuing to work alongside the Lake District Foundation to ensure collaborative working continues to drive the message home that while Cumbria is free to enjoy, it’s not free to maintain. It’s wonderful that the Lake District Foundation continues to educate our valued visitors about the important role that visitor-giving plays.”

The closing date for applications is 5pm on 20 September. For further information, email grants@lakedistrictfoundation.org.

“We’re so excited to be going into our third year with so much support,” Sarah added.