Summit at Sunset Challenge Success

‘Summit at Sunset’ was on Friday 18^th August and marked Hospice at Home Carlisle and North Lakeland flagship fundraising event for 2023. As ever with the weather in Cumbria, the walkers held their breath in the week leading up. Lovely warm weather, followed by torrential rain. But what was to be the outcome on Friday night?

The answer… warm and breezy!

Down at the starting point at Threlkeld Cricket Club kindly opened to assist the charity to use the facilities before the walk, the mood was excited.  Everyone was excited and ready to go. Walkers gathered from teams from the charities Business Partners initiative, local companies with also many families and friends walking together. There was a beautiful sense of remembrance among the walkers with many decorating their Hospice at Home t-shirts with photos and ‘in memory’ notes. Some walkers had also created In Memory Stones to leave at the Summit.

 

Prior to the walk, Matt Le Voi from Lakeland Mountain Guides climbed the step ladders to address the walkers for a safety briefing, followed by Julie Blundell (Head of Income Generation and Marketing at Hospice at Home) who galvanised the walkers with a passionate talk of what they were aiming to accomplish this evening and how each and every walker would be making a difference. Those walkers gathered had already raised over £10,000 and Julie reminded them of the people that they were helping right there and then in multiple of ways. With day and night nursing care, respite provision, bereavement counselling and so much more. Without these kind supporters, Hospice at Home couldn’t do what they do.

After a team photo, the 89 Walkers and 10 dogs set off, led by 14 guides from Lakeland Mountain Guides. The route took them through Threlkeld, heading via Blease Fell for Blencathra Summit in arrival for the sunset. At the high point of 750m the decision was made by Lakeland Mountain Guides to head back down with Storm Betty approaching rapidly.  This information was transmitted to all guides who acted promptly to support the group to head down.

Despite the turnaround, the vibe from the walkers was unbelievable as were the views when lower down the mountain.  Once in cairn protected from the wind all sat together for snacks and drinks and contemplate on their challenge. All seemed to have enjoyed their experience and relayed how memorable and exhilarating the evening was, with total understanding of the decision to turn back. Safety of the walkers was paramount and all felt they had endured a challenge along the way, thanks to Betty’s gusts. Julie Blundell hot footed it back to the carpark to welcome the walkers with rings from cowbells to congratulate all and hand out thank you Hospice at Home certificates.

 

Jane Silburn Business Development Director said ‘Cranstons team had a brilliant evening together despite being unable to summit. The atmosphere amongst the walkers was lovely with everyone helping each other and offering support, I felt very safe in the presence of our expert guides who helped us get as high as possible in the high winds before turning us back. Instead of gathering at the summit we all sat below the cloud line in a sheltered spot taking in the amazing views and pausing for a moment’s contemplation, it was very moving’

 

The evening without doubt will be a special event for the charity and for the walkers who were all so supportive and passionate about the cause. The aim is to raise over £15,000 which will ensure hours and hours of clinical care in the home can be provided by the Hospice at Home’s nurses, carers, specialists, councillors and therapists.

Special mention has to go to BSW for sponsoring the event and to Greggs Penrith for donating cakes.

 

Full album of photos from the walk is available on our Facebook page.