It’s going to be a cold and wet start to the year for the team at Cumbria Community Foundation.

Staff and trustees will venture into the icy waters of Lake Windermere on January 8 to kick-start a year-long fundraising campaign to mark the charity's 20th anniversary.

The year of special events called ‘Giving Back, Looking Forward’ will celebrate the charity’s achievements to date and encourage the community to get involved in their own fundraising challenges.

All money raised will go into the Cumbria Fund, which supports around 50 community projects each year and helps improve the lives of disadvantaged people across the county.

Richard Roberts, director and co-owner of Gedye & Sons Solicitors and a trustee at the Foundation will be taking the plunge, along with fellow trustee John Wilson, founder of Baines Wilson LLP.

Mr Roberts said: “It’s my birthday that day so what better way of celebrating than with a dip in Windermere to launch the Foundation’s 20th birthday?”

Annalee Holliday, grants and donor services officer at the Foundation, said: “We wanted to do something to challenge ourselves. It’s going to be freezing but we’re not ones to shy away from a challenge and the CCF team hope to raise £1,000 for the Cumbria Fund. We hope people will be inspired to either support our cause or create their own challenge.”

Donations can be made at: https://mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/windermeredip

To find out more, visit: https://www.cumbriafoundation.org/20th-anniversary/challenge/