A LEADING Cumbrian wildlife charity is “extremely grateful” to have received a significant financial boost, in light of the ongoing strain caused by Covid-19.

Cumbria Wildlife Trust (CWT) has been given a £15,000 donation from the Cumbria Community Foundation Papagallino Fund, set up to support causes protecting the environment or supporting rural communities.

Gifted by an anonymous donor who was “concerned about the fragility of the charity sector in the current climate” according to the trust, the donation will undoubtedly make a difference to a charity that like most have concerns over the lingering impact of Covid-19 on their fundraising abilities.

Stephen Trotter, chief executive of Cumbria Wildlife Trust, said: “We’re extremely grateful that Cumbria Community Foundation approached us about this grant and that their anonymous donor expressed a wish to support Cumbria Wildlife Trust.

“This very generous donation will contribute to the heart of our organisation, and help us get through these difficult times, when charities are facing a drop in donations, income and funding opportunities which have understandably been diverted to frontline organisations.”

“Since the lockdown started, we’ve pared down our activities to the minimum to help see us through this time.

“We know that nature is very important to our wellbeing and this grant helps us to continue to give people access to nature, even when they’re at home, through our website and online events, offering activities such as wildlife recording, and by wildlife news on our social media channels.”

The wildlife trust’s online osprey webcam been a huge success, seeing a 200 per cent increase in viewers this year.