The CKDCF would like to give an enormous thank-you to everyone who came to the 17th annual October Fundraising Weekend, as well as all of those who sponsored our fundraisers – you all helped to make it an unforgettable event!
Photos courtesy of Richard Hallworth and Fay Dunnery
This year, we celebrated 16th anniversary of the inception of the CKDCF, which was formed back in 2002.
The CKDCF fundraising weekend kicked off on Friday 19th October, with a night of delicious food, catch-ups and musical entertainment. As with every year, a plethora of memorabilia and photographs were available for guests to look through. The night was a great opportunity for like-minded CKDCF supporters and music fans to come together to celebrate the charity’s work throughout the preceding year.
As always, the Friday evening kicked off with a delicious hot buffet dinner and opening speech from our Founder and Chair of Trustees, Francis Dunnery, who thanked everyone involved in our work.  We also heard from Leon, a young boy with sight loss, who enjoys music lessons thanks to funding granted by the CKDCF. Soon after, guests heard from three guest speakers: Lynn Dutton, from Newcastle RVI’s children’s cancer wards; Gill Wykes, from Cumbria Cerebral Palsy; and Marie Scott, from the West Cumbria Society for the Blind.  Mrs Wykes was presented with a £3,000 cheque from the CKDCF to fund a support worker for children suffering from cerebral palsy. Mrs Scott was presented with a number of items to celebrate her 25 years’ voluntary service. Guests were then entertained by Eric and the Ogres, Simon Betts and Buzz Elliott!
A record number of fundraisers woke up early on Saturday morning to make the journey to the annual ‘Joy in the Rain’ Sponsored Walk around Loweswater.  Everyone successfully made the 6km walk around the lake, with some even having a go on the rope-swing on the shore.  The walk went without incident, for the first time in a while! Pictured in the slideshow above are our eldest and youngest walkers, Maureen and Nancy (4). Calderwood House, a local social enterprise/homeless hostel, were on hand with their catering van to reward walkers with tea, coffee and snacks.
That evening, Francis Dunnery took to the stage of Egremont Market Hall with a number of special guests, including Goosey Tyson, Chris Difford and Steve Hogarth.  Francis played songs from his Let’s Go Do What Happens album.  A great night was had by all – both local and international fundraisers.  A silent auction, general raffle and raffle for a unique quilt on Saturday evening raised over £1,000 alone.
We look forward to seeing all of this year’s fundraisers, and new fundraisers, at next year’s October Event (18th & 19th October 2019).
Sunday 21st October 2018