The Cumbrian Challenge 2021, marking the tenth anniversary of the event, is Walking With The Wounded’s annual flagship fundraiser. Sadly cancelled in 2020 due to the pandemic, the event returns to the hills of Grasmere, Cumbria on 11 September to push participants’ physical fitness and determination over three challenging routes. Whether taking on the ‘Peak’ (one peak, 10km, 700m ascent), the ‘Tough’ (nine peaks, 25km, 1,700m ascent) or the ‘Tougher’ (13 peaks, 32km 2,000m ascent) course, Birketts’ teams will be tested as they raise vital funds to support veterans’ returning to work after combat.
Grace Kerr, Partner and Chair of Birketts CSR committee, said: “Our colleagues are thrilled to take part in this year’s Cumbrian Challenge. The Birketts teams are looking forward to making up for lost time and tackling this year’s challenging routes. The work of Walking With The Wounded has always been an important cause to support, but following the pandemic and the charity’s additional work during 2020 to help those affected by COVID-19, these fundraising efforts are even more crucial.”
Walking With The Wounded’s new CEO, Fergus Williams, who stepped up from Director of Operations in January, added: “Although we were disappointed not to be hitting the hills in May due to the coronavirus lockdown in the winter and early spring, we are delighted to bring the Cumbrian Challenge back in 2021. It is excellent to see Birketts continuing their support for Walking With The Wounded this year, having already raised more than £40,000 for our programmes across the UK through their past efforts.
"Walking With The Wounded has been part of the solution during the pandemic; from making more than 21,000 COVID-19 welfare calls to delivering food parcels through our volunteering programme, OP-REGEN, the fundraising from Birketts’ teams and at September’s challenge will support our ongoing work for both veterans and those affected by the pandemic.”
Image: Birketts teams at the 2019 Cumbrian Challenge for Walking With The Wounded
Credit: Walking With The Wounded