ON Friday, for example, I met Ian from the dedicated team who organise the annual Keswick to Barrow (K2B) Walk.

The impact of COVID-19 has inevitably extended to them, as they are unable to hold the huge event that we’ve all grown to love.

Now, going back to basics (Shipyard vs Royal Navy), they are holding a smaller, COVID-secure event with only 20 people taking part while still raising funds for some key local charities.

It’s not going to be the same this year, but I’d urge you to dig deep and lend your support at: www.keswick2barrow.co.uk

On the same day, via Zoom, I met with Val and Clare from St Mary’s Hospice.

They are a beneficiary of Keswick to Barrow but are facing the challenges you might expect with fundraising as a result of COVID.

I was privileged to gain an insight into the wonderful work that they do and how they have adapted their incredible care in a world of social distancing - offering real, practical support to patients, carers, families and professionals alike.

Once again, the reverberations of COVID run through every level of the society, affecting us all.

My working week ended on Saturday morning, meeting with Meg and Mark on their farm in Broughton Mills.

Mark has built and installed a water turbine that quietly, and with no environmental impact, provides ample power for a cluster of buildings at the farm.

Meanwhile Meg is focussed on regenerative agriculture, improving the land to capture more carbon, improve the soil and producing more nutrient-rich food.

COVID has impacted us in so many ways, but we shouldn’t be reticent in looking to change things for the better and learn from where we’ve gone wrong in the past.

As my own children get older, I think more and more of the world that we are building for them - and I think of what we should be changing to leave a better legacy for them.