COMMUNITIES across South Cumbria will benefit to the tune of £50,000 this year thanks to the generosity of local family-owned business Lakeland. 

Charitable and not-for-profit organisations that improve the health and wellbeing of local people, and projects that protect the environment, can apply for a share of the funding provided by the kitchen and homeware retailer.

The creation of the myLakeland Fund, in partnership with Cumbria Community Foundation, allows Lakeland to expand its reach into local communities and show its gratitude and ongoing support for the Cumbrian community where the business was founded more than 50 years ago.

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The experts in cooking, baking, cleaning and the home, Lakeland created the fund to give grants to charitable organisations that improve the health and wellbeing of local people and projects that protect the environment.

Priority will be given to community-led projects in or around Windermere, Kendal and South Lakeland, those that support young people, and organisations that have minimal opportunity for raising funds or are helping to address new or emerging needs.

A total of £50,000 is available from the fund and grants will normally be in the region of £5,000 to £15,000.

Fran Wilkinson, Head of Loyalty at Lakeland, said: “We’re absolutely delighted to be launching the myLakeland fund in partnership with Cumbria Community Foundation. Whilst Lakeland is now a national retailer, we were founded here in the heart of the Lake District, where our Head Office, Flagship Store and Distribution Centre remain to this day, and it’s important to us that we give back to the local community that has supported us."