THE Keswick to Barrow and Coniston to Barrow was back today after last year’s postponement due to Covid.

Despite a drizzly start there were plenty of cheery- and relieved-faces as people walked and ran over the finish line, with numerous people taking part with their children and canine companions, at Hawscoat Park Sports Club.

The annual 42-mile event (21 miles for Coniston to Barrow) sees thousands of people set off at the crack of dawn from Keswick and Coniston and eat up the miles to raise money for local good causes.

And there was plenty for supporters to do as they waited to congratulate friends and loved ones, with a bouncy castle and food and drink stalls set up in the park.

Helen Sugars, Kerry and Andy Mckenna and Dave and Jill Armstrong, from Swarthmoor, were raising money for Swarthmoor Junior Football Club.

They have so far managed to raise more than £2,000.

“We were doing it for our kids’ football team,” said Ms Sugars.

“It feels amazing, it’s a great day, perfect weather, we enjoyed it.”

“We were up at five,” said Ms Mckenna.

Dominic McCavish, from Barrow, took on the Keswick to Barrow for Felly's Fund.

His team has so far managed to raise more than £1,000 for the cause, which holds special meaning for the team.

"A member of staff at the pupil referral unit where I work got motor neurone disease and he passed away sadly," he said.
"Since then, the whole staff have got together to raise money for Felly's Fund and other local causes."

Meanwhile Anthony Collins, also from Barrow, completed the Coniston to Barrow for Animal Welfare Furness with colleagues from the Tesco where he works.

"I love animals and I've always wanted to do it," he said.

"I'm shattered but really glad I did it."

Karen Brown was waiting at the side of the finish line offering her support to her team of nine walkers who were raising funds for the oncology unit at Furness General Hospital in memory of her son Gareth, who she lost to cancer in 2017.

The family has organised a team for the K2B for three years.

“We love coming and we’re very grateful to everyone who does it for us,” said Ms Brown.

And a cohort of 21 walkers was raising money for Stitch Ability, a social enterprise project in partnership with Youth Ability Cumbria and A Stitch Different CIC. 

The project sees products created, managed and sold by young people with disabilities.

The aim is to help the participants increase their confidence and gain experience of a work environment.

Team leader for Stitch Ability, Amanda, said: “This is our major fundraiser to maintain our Stitch Ability project and our new sleep ability project that we developed during lockdown to support people with sleep issues.

“We’ve done this for four or five years and it’s a major source of income.

“It’s been a great day.”

Ralph and Debbie Prescott both did the Coniston to Barrow in aid of the Bay Hospitals Charity.

The husband-and-wife duo both work for the hospital trust and have done the walk before.

"It's a fantastic day," said Mrs Prescott.

"We enjoy a challenge and walking.

"It's good to be back."