THE new director of a Kendal charity that encourages care for the environment has called the role an 'opportunity of a lifetime'.

Sarah Swindley will take up the position at Nurture Lakeland in September and is 'excited' to do so.

"I am so excited to be taking on this new role at such an important time in the history of the Lake District," she said. "The Lake District National Park Partnership and the Trustees of Nurture Lakeland have big plans for the future and my first job will be to oversee the launch of the Lake District Foundation, a new charity that will build on the legacy of Nurture Lakeland and help deliver this shared vision.

"To be able to take both the skills I have acquired over many years as a charity leader and my love of the natural world into this role is the opportunity of a lifetime."

The organisation encourages people to care for the natural environment of the Lake District and Cumbria.

With the Lake District having gained World Heritage Status and visitor numbers expected to increase, the charity believes there is increased need and increased opportunities to raise funds for conservation work.

Gill Houston, chair of Nurture Lakeland board of trustees said: “There are ever increasing numbers of visitors coming to the Lake District which gives us both a greater opportunity and a greater need to inspire visitors to help protect the natural environment. Sarah will be instrumental in enabling us to deliver our strategy to do this."

Sarah comes to Nurture Lakeland from her previous role as CEO of Lancashire Women’s Centres where since 2011 she has successfully developed the size, turnover and impact of the charity.

Nurture Lakeland has raised more than £2.5 million for local conservation over the last 23 years and has submitted an application to the Charity Commission to set up the Lake District Foundation.

The Lake District Foundation will build on the work of Nurture Lakeland and will secure their place as one of the leading charities raising funds for the conservation, protection and improvement of the physical and natural environment and cultural heritage of the Lake District.