MORE than one hundred eager fundraisers gave up their warm homes for a cold, wet and windy night under the stars to help older people stay warm in winter.

The Big Sleep is an annual event organised by Cumbria Community Foundation to raise money for their Winter Warmth Appeal, which supports older people in Cumbria who struggle to pay their heating and fuel bills in the colder months.

With temperatures around two degrees, campers near the Low Wood Bay Hotel in Windermere kept thoughts from the cold and enjoyed live music from Smith Corona and Little Sleepers were kept entertained by storyteller Ian Douglas and a family movie.

Volunteers from Calderwood House, a homeless hostel in Egremont, kept campers warm with their speciality coffee, and English Lakes Hotels provided the evening meal and breakfast rolls in the morning.

Shelley Savasi, senior probate sdministrator at Temple Heelis solicitors, which has branches in Kendal, Windermere and Ambleside, said: “Our one night of hardship has given us some idea of what it feels like not to be able to afford to keep warm. We’re delighted to have raised over £1,000 for the Winter Warmth Appeal."

Andy Beeforth, Chief Executive of the charity, said: “We’ve had another fantastic year at the Big Sleep and a huge thank you to everyone who took part or who supported them. The event usually raises around £15,000 and this money makes a huge difference enabling us to continue our work, helping older people within our community.

“Extra funding is always great but awareness is even better and we want people to understand what fuel poverty is and how it affects people. The money raised will be used to provide grants to some of the poorest, most vulnerable older people in the county. Thank you to everyone who took part or supported the participants.”

The appeal has already distributed £125,000 this winter and helped over 700 older people heat their homes to date.

Visit www.cumbriafoundation.org/winter-warmth-fund/give-to-the-winter-warmth-fund or phone 01900 825760.

Or 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