A team of colleagues from a leading legal firm and partner of the network, Cartmell Shepherd Solicitors, have successfully completed a fell walking charity challenge.

Staff from Cartmells hiked up a total of 50 Lake District fells between them to raise money for Hospice at Home West Cumbria, which provides palliative and end of life care.

The challenge was part of the charity’s 50 Faces for Hospice campaign in which supporters pledged to raise £500 each during a six-month period from July 1, 2020.

The four-strong Cartmell Shepherd team, who are all based at the firm’s Cockermouth office, scaled 50 of the famous Wainwright peaks to reach their target, with each of them tackling different fells with their partners and families.

Team member and keen fell walker, Laura Clarke, who is a private client executive at Cartmell Shepherd, and her partner Dan bagged 26 peaks including Ullock Pike, Blencathra and Skiddaw. She said her favourite moment was reaching the top of a snow-covered Helvellyn on Christmas Eve.

She said: “As long-term supporters of Hospice at Home West Cumbria, it was important for the team at Cartmell Shepherd to do something positive to support the charity during the pandemic.

“The 50 Wainwrights challenge was an excellent way to raise money and to get outdoors and make the most of the wonderful scenery on our doorstep.”

Laura was joined on the fund-raising team by Lauren Hanley and Gemma Rudd, who are both legal secretaries, and associate solicitor Claire Wilson, who is also a trustee of Hospice at Home West Cumbria.

Lauren completed 16 fells with her partner Bob and their two dogs, Fred and Fern; Gemma and her husband Andrew climbed three fells with their two children Elliott and Ruby; and Claire completed five fells with her husband Paul, son Dylan and dog Jax.

Laura said: “In keeping with Covid-19 restrictions, we chose fells which were closest to our homes in West Cumbria to avoid unnecessary travel, and we were joined on the walks by our partners and family members in our household bubbles. We decided in advance who would walk up which fells and I think everyone including the children got the fell walking bug.”

The team completed their fell walking challenge in late December ahead of the latest Covid-19 restrictions.

The West Cumbrian team recently moved into a new office in Cockermouth town centre, transferring from their previous base at Dovenby, just outside the town. Cartmell Shepherd’s full range of legal services is available from the office, delivered by its team of more than 40 solicitors based across Cumbria and Northumberland.

The legal firm has remained open for business throughout the pandemic, with staff working from home wherever possible and client meetings by appointment. Under current restrictions, where a phone or virtual appointment is not possible, staff will meet clients in person with social distancing and other safety measures in place.

Laura, who lives in Cockermouth and is a representative on the town’s Chamber of Trade, said the West Cumbrian team was looking forward to getting back into the office when restrictions eased.

She said: “Cockermouth is a great place to live and work, with a really supportive community. Our new office is in a fantastic location on Main Street, right in the centre of the town. We’re looking forward to getting more involved with town initiatives and events, and being even more accessible for our clients.”