AROUND 200 people braved the cold and slept under the stars to raise money for a charity close to their hearts.
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The Big Sleep is run by Cumbria Community Foundation, which has raised more than £100,000 through its Winter Warmth Appeal.
The people taking part snuggled up in their sleeping bags and braced the cold winter night to remind themselves that some people go without heating through the coldest months.
The third annual event took place last night on the grounds of the Low Wood Bay Hotel in Windermere and has so far raised £12,000.
The event was due to be held on January 30 but it had to be postponed because of the weather.
Nigel Wilkinson from Windermere Lake Crusies took part.
He said: "It's great to be able to help such a worthwhile cause but have a great time doing it.
"How lucky we are to wake up to snow covered Langdale Fells at dawn."
David Vaughan, the operations manager at Low Wood Bay Hotel explained that they were more than happy to support the event.
He said: "We hosted the Big Sleep last year as well and it's always a successful event.
"We supplied a cowboy stew for all of the people taking part last night and bacon and sausage rolls in the morning."
The event, which is very popular with families, also saw a range of activities for everyone.
Annalee Holliday, of Cumbria Community Foundation, explained that there was a raffle, lantern making and a movie shown.
She said: "We put on Paddington the movie in the marquee and that went down really well.
"This year for the first time we sold scarves, gloves and hats that had been knitted by people from around the county and the money made was put back into the Winter Warmth Appeal.
"A lot of the items sent to us were from older people so it's as though they are giving back to the appeal."
The money raised through the appeal is distributed to help older people struggling with high fuel costs and and suffering from poor health.
In its first two years, the Big Sleep attracted more than 400 people and raised almost £40,000 for the appeal.
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