A Cumbrian couple has partnered with a local charity, offering a free stay in one of their VIP holiday cottages.

Niall Mellonie and Marta Pawlik, Founders of Laik Ltd, arranged this goodwill act for a family in need, alongside the Ambleside-based charity, the Brathay Trust.

The family was offered a stay at Laik's Loughrigg Cottage at Ambleside, a nominee for Cumbrian Cottage of the year in this year's In Cumbria Tourism Awards.

Every aspect of their stay was taken care of in collaboration with Brathay Trust and the family's school, from accommodation, meals and activities to transport and even shopping.

The guests at Loughrigg said that they were “over the moon and really appreciated being given this opportunity”.

Mr Mellonie said: “As a National Park, we think the Lakes should be accessible for everyone, in a way that respects and supports local communities, too.

“But for many families, especially in these tough times, the area can be equally inaccessible whether you’re one or a hundred miles away, and for many, a holiday is simply not on the cards.

“This has been a fantastic experience and definitely not a festive one-off. Everyone got something positive from this and we’re looking forward to continuing to work with the Brathay Trust throughout 2024, and making this kind of 'booking' a regular in our calendar.”

The Mail: The couple founded their holiday cottage business in 2019, and renamed it Laik in 2022 (a Northern English dialect word for playing, taking time off work and being on holiday).The couple founded their holiday cottage business in 2019, and renamed it Laik in 2022 (a Northern English dialect word for playing, taking time off work and being on holiday). (Image: Laik Ltd)

The Mail: The couple founded their holiday cottage business in 2019, and renamed it Laik in 2022 (a Northern English dialect word for playing, taking time off work and being on holiday).The couple founded their holiday cottage business in 2019, and renamed it Laik in 2022 (a Northern English dialect word for playing, taking time off work and being on holiday). (Image: Anita Kendrick)The couple, who have built a successful holiday letting business from a borrowed bell tent in a farmer's field, now employ a small team and aim to attract tourists to the Lake District all year round.

Being passionate about sharing the best of the county and proud of their own working-class roots, partnering with the Brathay Trust was a natural step for the couple.

The charity, which has been running since 1946, offers life-changing community programmes to children, young people and families in need.

Mr Mellonie said: "The Trust’s headquarters are very close to us, so we’ve got to see first-hand the great work they do with families and young people from across Yorkshire, Cumbria, and the North West."