Simon Berry, High Sheriff of Cumbria is gearing up to bed down under the stars alongside other campers at the annual Big Sleep next month to raise money for older people this winter.

Organised by Cumbria Community Foundation, the annual Big Sleep takes place on Saturday 9th March opposite the Low Wood Bay Hotel on the shore of Lake Windermere. The event aims to raise awareness of the plight of older people who struggle to heat their homes during the cold winter months.

Simon, who is also Chairman and Managing Director of English Lakes Hotels Resorts & Venues, said: “This year’s Big Sleep is doubly special for me in 2019. We all at the Low Wood Bay Resort are delighted to host the event again and as the current High Sheriff I will be sleeping out myself, helping to raise money and awareness of Community Foundations Winter Warmth Appeal. Please do sign up and come and join me and all the “Big and Little Sleepers” on the 9th of March. It is always a fun night.”

People taking part are encouraged to get sponsorship for braving the cold winter weather overnight. All money raised supports the Winter Warmth Appeal – a pot of money distributed to older, vulnerable Cumbrians via Age UK to help pay towards heating bills. Since its launch the Big Sleep has raised more than £100,000 for the Appeal, which benefits around 1,000 older people each year.

Annalee Holliday, Grants & Donor Services Officer at the Foundation, said: “The Big Sleep is by far the biggest fundraiser for the Winter Warmth Appeal. Bad winters have seen as many as 460 excess winter deaths in the county. It will be cold but it’s always a great atmosphere and I hope people are encouraged to enter and raise what they can for this very important cause.”

People can sign up to take part in the Big Sleep by visiting: https://www.cumbriafoundation.org/bigsleep/ It costs £35 for adults and £5 for children. The entry fee covers refreshments, an evening meal, activities and breakfast.

For more information about the event, contact Anne Meeghan by emailing [email protected] or calling 01900 825760.

If you can’t make it to Windermere, you are more than welcome to organise your own Big Sleep at home. For more information visit: https://www.cumbriafoundation.org/bigsleep/about/big-sleep-at-home/

If you can’t join the Big Sleep but would like to donate to the Winter Warmth Appeal, visit: http://www.cumbriafoundation.org/winter-warmth-fund/give-to-the-winter-warmth-fund.

Or you can send a cheque to: ‘Cumbria Community Foundation’ and write ‘Winter Warmth’ on the back. Send it to: Cumbria Community Foundation, Dovenby Hall, Dovenby, Cockermouth, Cumbria, CA13 0PN.