Kendal Fellwalkers walking the fells

Kendal Fellwalkers walking the fells

While the world seems obsessed with carbon footprints, a group of walkers has made a donation to help the effects of their actual footprints on the Lakeland fells.

The Kendal Fellwalkers decided to ‘fill in their footprints’ with a £100 donation to a scheme that repairs the upland footpaths in the area.

The gift to the Fix the Fells project recognises the fact that, while the use of the fells is free, it is not without impact.

A spokesperson for Fix the Fells said: “In the same way that your walking boots experience wear from use, so do the paths on which they tread. This wear, or erosion, is exacerbated by wind and rain.

“Eroded paths are not only unsightly, they can also lead to habitat loss, water pollution and damage to the archaeological and natural history of the area.”

Ken Taylor of the walking group said: “Kendal Fellwalkers usually make a small donation to a relevant and local worthy cause each year out of club funds.  This year, we decided to make the donation to Fix the Fells.

“As a group and as individuals, we are frequent users of the high Lakeland fells and so are acutely aware of the problems of path erosion, as well as the good work which Fix the Fells does to make good the damage.  Members wanted to show their support for this good cause.”

The Heritage Lottery Fund triples any donation to Fix the Fells.