We thought we would share a little background about life outside of Cumbrian Cottage Holidays and how we support our local community.
David and Julia Hogarth have 3 grown up daughters and 8 grandchildren. As if they don’t keep them busy enough, David can regularly be found on the golf course, that is when he is not taxiing the grandchildren around, whilst Julia takes to the gym and cooks with the younger grandchildren.
Gail, late to parenthood, has a 17-year-old son, who enjoys numerous clubs and outdoor activities. When not dropping and picking him up from these clubs, they can regularly be found exploring the Lake District together or driving around in the car whilst out practicing for his driving test soon.
Carlisle Youth Zone is a vibrant organisation dedicated to empowering the youth of Carlisle and surrounding area, providing them with a safe space and the guidance they need to thrive. There is no government funding, and it relies totally on grants and donations.
David and Julia: They originally got involved when their older grandchildren started attending. They were soon recruited as patrons and contributed monthly to the running of the Youth Zone. They also quickly joined the mentoring programme where they were matched with children who needed a friendly ear and help in different aspects of their life.
Always keen to involve as many businesses as possible, it wasn’t long before David recruited many more patrons. From a family of only 28 when he joined, the patron family is now over 130 businesses and counting, all helping to ensure the local youth continue to have a space where, no matter what is happening outside, they are safe, looked after, and have a friendly ear to talk to.
Gail: David’s recruitment drive didn’t stop at patrons. I was recruited into the world of mentoring, and after the initial training, I am proud to have helped a number of children overcome adversities in their lives and envision a brighter future.
Eden Valley Hospice and Jigsaw
Eden Valley Hospice and Jigsaw are two vital organisations that provide compassionate care and support for terminally ill adults and children. Again, the hospice is mostly funded by fundraising and local businesses making contributions. Club 24 is a new initiative by them, aimed at businesses who contribute 24 hours of care. Being one of the first patrons of Club 24, we are pleased to be involved from the beginning and no doubt we will become more active as Club 24 develops.
In addition to supporting local charities, we are champions of the environment, especially in the Lake District, where we live and work. Fix the Fells is a charity run by volunteers who have bagged the Wainwrights many times over, whilst ensuring the paths within the fells of the Lake District remain safe for users.
When booking with Cumbrian Cottage Holidays, holidaymakers are encouraged to make a small donation, which goes directly towards ensuring that our beautiful fell paths remain in pristine condition for generations to come.
Governance
Gail: I have been a school governor for over 10 years at our local primary school. Now Chair of Governors, I enjoy seeing the children thrive and grow as they navigate their way through primary school. Not without its challenges from finance to Ofsted, it is rewarding when you hear of the success stories of the children. Some are now starting apprenticeships, and it is lovely to hear how their school life has shaped their future.
All three of us enjoy being part of our community and contributing where we can to make other people’s lives that little bit easier. It doesn’t always have to be financial help—a cuppa and friendly ear, we feel, is equally important in improving people’s well-being. Apart from the charities above that we support, we have all been regularly involved in fundraising for many local charities, and over the years, we have raised thousands of pounds for good causes.
With your contributions towards Fix the Fells, we hope to continue to support this charity, which in turn promotes well-being in people. Let’s face it, the Lake District is a huge outdoor gym where endorphins explode at every turn as you are rewarded with stunning scenery.
