A GROUP of courageous individuals braved the winter chill in their pledge to raise thousands of pounds for Cumbrian charities.

Eleven staff members and trustees of Cumbria Community Foundation ventured into the icy waters of Windermere as part of their ‘Giving Back, Looking Forward’ campaign.

The event kickstarted a year-long fundraising campaign which aims to raise more than £250,000 through encouraging the community to get involved in their own fundraising challenges.

All the money raised will go into the Cumbria Fund, which supports around 50 community projects each year and helps improve the lives of disadvantaged people across the county.

Event organiser Anne Meeghan said: “This is the foundation’s 20th Anniversary and we’ve set ourselves the target of £250,000 for the whole year.

"The staff have decided to do something and set ourselves this target which I’m sure we’ll achieve.”

The group appeared apprehensive and excited as they approached Low Wood Bay’s freezing waters with a few brave individuals even attempting a swim.

Simon Berry, High Sherriff of Cumbria and Low Wood Bay Resort & Spa owner, praised the involvement and support of the foundation, particularly its work with youth crime in the local area.

The High Sherriff was dressed in formal court attire with hat and sword as he cheered on the brave partakers.

Andy Beeforth, chief executive of the foundation, said the dip was “absolutely exhilarating.”

“It’s great to do this with the team as we celebrate our 20 year anniversary," he said.

“It’s also a great way to launch our appeal to raise £250,000 for the Cumbria Fund which helps fundraise for almost 100 charities across Cumbria.”

One charity to benefit is West Cumbria Domestic Violence Support. Known as the Freedom Project.

It received £10,000 to support its running costs to provide free, long-term support to adults, children and perpetrators of domestic violence.

Annalee Holliday, grants and donor services officer at the Foundation, said: “We wanted to do something to challenge ourselves.

“We hope people will be inspired to either support our cause or create their own challenge.”

The foundation’s second event of its year-long fundraising campaign will be a “Big Sleep” in March. Partakers will camp out in a field near Low Wood Bay as they raise money for Cumbria’s Winter Warmth Fund which provides money for older people unable to afford heating.

If you would like to get involved, a fundraising pack is available on the foundation’s website: https://www.cumbriafoundation.org.

Donate to the appeal at mydonate.bt.com/charities/cumbriacommunityfoundation