Multi-million-pound roadworks in the Ullswater area this summer have sunk a major charity walk.
The annual Patterdale Parish Boundary Walk in July has been cancelled, having raised an estimated £100,000 for its remote village school and church over the years.
Beneficiaries, Patterdale Church of England School and St Patrick’s Church, are still encouraging people to make online donations as the walk tended to raise a vital £3,000 to £7,000 every year.
Extending to nearly 25 miles, the walk has fallen foul of the unprecedented safety improvements taking place along Kirkstone Pass, a key section of the long-running £7.9 million Department for Transport-funded upgrade.
The walk, which takes place on the first Saturday of July was started around 30 years ago, but organisers have announced that it is off this year as it would be “impossible” to travel between Patterdale and Kirkstone.
Including 10,300ft of ascent, the walk is famed for taking in many famous mountain tops from Raise, Helvellyn, Nethermost Pike, Dollywagon Pike, and also Kirkstone Pass.
It is not the first time it has been cancelled after it was called off in 2020 and again in 2021 due to the pandemic, while last year’s funds went towards supporting Ukrainan refugees.
Organisers said they were disappointed but that they recognised the necessity of the roadworks taking place, and said contractors were trying their best.
While the road is due to reopen the day before the event, organisers decided not to take the risk in the event the roadworks overrun.
The funds raised for the school are usually used to help pay for a city break for older pupils. It still plans to a trip to Newcastle for one night in July.
The message from the school is that people can still show their support by attending this year’s Ullswater Fair on June 24 at the King George V Playing Field pavilion, where they can buy refreshments in aid of the Patterdale School Support Group.
The work on Kirkstone Pass, which includes boundary wall repairs, resurfacing and carriageway reconstruction on the arterial link, are described as the most challenging of the entire project.
It is to improve safety on the road on the section between Rheged and Windermere. The Kirkstone Pass works are expected to be completed in March 2024, subject to weather conditions.
- BACS donations, marked Boundary Walk, can be made directly to the Parochial Church Council of Patterdale at sort code 20-66-97 and account number 3068 6654.
