Calvert Lakes Launches 24-Hour Everesting Challenge To Raise Funds For Disability Adventures
A Lake District charity is inviting the public to take part in a 24-hour mountain challenge to raise funds for accessible outdoor adventures.
The Lake District Calvert Trust will host its “It’s A Doddle” fundraising event at Calvert Lakes, near Keswick, from midday on Tuesday, December 1, until midday on Wednesday, December 2, 2026. The challenge will bring together individuals, families, schools, businesses and community groups to climb the equivalent height of Mount Everest as many times as possible.
Participants will ascend Dodd, the hill located behind the Calvert Lakes activity centre. The route follows a wide forestry track covering approximately 269 metres of elevation. The aim is to complete enough ascents collectively to reach the height of Mount Everest, which stands at 8,848 metres.
Organisers say participants do not need to complete the entire Everest elevation themselves. The challenge is based on collective achievement, with each climb contributing towards the overall target. To reach the height of Everest once, the charity estimates that 33 people need to complete the route, or one individual would need to ascend it 33 times.
The event is designed to be inclusive, welcoming people with different abilities and fitness levels. Participants can walk, run, cycle, ride, use a tramper or wheelchair, or take part in other suitable ways of moving up the route. The organisers have also confirmed that dog ascents will count towards the collective fundraising challenge.
Hourly departures will take place throughout the 24-hour event, with at least two people expected to be climbing during each hour. Participants will be able to choose suitable time slots, allowing individuals and groups to take part during the day or overnight.
The challenge forms part of the launch of the Big Give Christmas Challenge, an annual match-funding campaign supporting charitable organisations. During the fundraising week, eligible donations made to the Calvert Lakes appeal will be doubled through contributions from pledged supporters and Champion funders. This means donations can have twice the impact on the charity's work.
Calvert Lakes is aiming to raise £60,000 through this year's Big Give appeal. The money will support the charity's accessible activity sessions, helping people with disabilities enjoy outdoor experiences alongside friends, families and carers. The fundraising is particularly important because the organisation wants to maintain and expand opportunities for people who might otherwise face barriers to taking part in outdoor activities.
The charity provides specialist outdoor activities from its centre near Keswick. Its programme includes sailing, canoeing, climbing, abseiling, horse riding, bushcraft and other adventure experiences. Activities are adapted to help people with different disabilities participate safely, build confidence and experience achievement in the natural environment.
According to the charity, running an activity session for a group of 12 participants costs approximately £500. Funds raised through the appeal will contribute towards delivering 160 inclusive activity sessions, helping more people access experiences that support independence, confidence and personal development.
The 2026 event follows the success of the first “It’s A Doddle” challenge in 2025. Supporters and staff collectively climbed the equivalent of Mount Everest 4.6 times during last year's event. Organisers hope to exceed that achievement this year by encouraging more people, organisations and local groups to participate.
The Big Give Christmas Challenge will run for a full week, beginning at midday on December 1 and ending at midday on December 8, 2026. Supporters who cannot attend the mountain challenge can still contribute by donating, arranging their own fundraising activities, sponsoring the event or sharing information about the appeal.
Calvert Lakes is also encouraging local businesses to become event sponsors. Sponsorship offers organisations an opportunity to support the charity while helping raise awareness of the challenge among the wider community. Businesses and individuals interested in supporting the event can contact the fundraising team at fundraising@calvertlakes.org.uk.
The charity hopes the event will bring together people from across Cumbria and beyond for a shared purpose. By combining physical activity with community fundraising, “It’s A Doddle” aims to demonstrate that outdoor challenges can be adapted so people with different abilities can contribute towards a common goal.
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