Leave The Lakes Alone...

The Lake District National Park Authority is asking charity fundraisers to consider alternatives to the controversial 'Three Peaks Challenge' events next year.

According to the authority, the popularity of such events rose this summer causing annoyance to local residents and erosion damage to paths on England's highest peak, Scafell Pike. Locals living in Borrowdale and Wasdale are routinely woken by mini-buses arriving in the early hours of the morning.

Sara Clarke, the Area Ranger manager says that while there is already a Code of Conduct - published by the UK's National Parks and the Institute of Fundraising - many events are still being stage without consideration being shown towards the damage potentially being caused to a fragile environment.

"I appreciate that these kind of mass participation events are a very successful way of raising money. But I would appeal to organisers to be more imaginative in their fund raising in the next few years. Perhaps have a break from the Three Peaks Challenge for a year or two and look at other ways money can be raised through enjoyable outdoor events," she says.

The authority also points out that the nature of the events means that walkers are undeterred by foul conditions so will take to the fells en masse in the sort of wet weather when the ground is particularly vulnerable to erosion damage.

Sara accepts that charities will continue the practice regardless of her pleas, but asks them to at least abide by the voluntary code of practice, which is available for download from the Lake District Park Authority web site at www.lake-district.gov.uk.

For a taste of what local residents are complaining about, check out the links below to OM member Guy Newbold's Three Peaks Diary.