Away from the fields, Kendal Calling’s commitment to supporting the local community and charities continues to go from strength to strength. To date the festival has raised close to £300,000 for the various charities close to our hearts, and in 2024 Kendal Calling Radio raised £78,941 in one weekend!
NORTH WEST AIR AMBULANCE
The North West Air Ambulance Charity takes advanced healthcare to scene; reaching, treating and transferring patients to definitive care as quickly as possible and working collaboratively with our partners to ensure they are transferred to the best treatment centre thus improving chances of survival and reducing the risk of long term injury.
The service is funded by the generosity of the public through donations, fundraising activity, lottery membership and through our network of retail outlets, who provide vital charitable funding to keep our service flying.
PENRITH SHOW
The Penrith Agricultural Society was formed in 1833 with the Society promoting the first Penrith Show the following year.
The Society’s aim is to promote the good of agriculture and livestock breeding in and around Penrith, to promote British Food & Farming in general and the drawing together of town and country for their mutual benefit!
We are proud to supporters of the show and encourage anyone doing us super early makes a visit!
HOSPICE AT HOME
Hospice at Home Carlisle and North Lakeland provide high quality care and support for adults who have palliative and end of life care needs and also for their families and carers. They bring the skills, ethos and practical care associated with the hospice movement into the home environment, providing services that allow adult patients with advanced illness’ to be cared for at home if that is their preference. Care may be provided to prevent admission to, or facilitate discharge from inpatient care for crisis management or for longer periods of care. The funds raised at Kendal Calling 2019 via Sunflower Awareness raised a record-breaking £12,978.56, taking their total raised over eight years to £61K!
ALDER HEY
Alder Hey Children’s Charity provides vital funds to make Alder Hey in the Park a truly world-class patient-friendly hospital which sees over 270,000 young patients and their families every year. They have just launched a £30m fundraising appeal to make the new Alder Hey in the Park the best it can be and have currently raised over £20m so far. Funds raised are used to buy life-saving medical equipment, arts, play activities, and services that otherwise simply wouldn’t be available. From the thousands of crayons they give out to entertain young patients to amazing lifesaving equipment and ground-breaking research studies, the money donated to Alder Hey makes a remarkable difference.
james’ place
James’ Place is known for its distinctive approach in providing free, life-saving treatment to suicidal men in their centers in Liverpool and London. Their emphasis on proven, effective treatment delivered in a safe, friendly, non-clinical environment by trained, professional therapists is a key aspect of their work. Since 2018, James Place has successfully treated over 1,500 suicidal men through more than 7,500 therapy sessions, helping them find hope for the future and overcome their crisis.
brough fc
We believe sport can do a lot of good for a community, bringing it together in the same way music can. Brough is the hometown of one of our founders and so naturally, we were delighted to hear the story of a young man who wanted to revive life into the old village football team. We wanted to do what we could to support the team in their growth and help propel the team forward. In 2022, we became the official sponsor of Brough FC, providing the team with their first official kits and even having their badge designed by the wonderful team at Bands FC.
PENRITH LIONS
The Penrith Lions are a purely volunteer led organisation that help local families in distress, take senior citizens on outings and provide opportunities for young people in the area to better themselves. Previous projects included financial help for a young mothers group in Penrith, sponsorship of a local youth football club and putting on the seniors Christmas concert. They are deeply involved with Eden District Talking Newspaper which provides a weekly tape for 120 blind or partially sighted people. By donating to their Welfare Fund it enables them to continue our support to the various groups, organisations and individuals who are in need of assistance.
GUIDE DOGS UK
We are extremely grateful to Kendal Calling for supporting the charity Guide Dogs. Guide Dogs firmly believe losing your sight shouldn’t mean losing your independence, confidence and freedom too.
The money donated by Kendal Calling will change the lives of people like teenager Liam. Liam lost his sight suddenly at just five years old, and doctors still don’t know why. Since being partnered with guide dog George, Liam says:
“Life is good and with George by my side, I’m continuing to become more independent, confident and looking to the future.“ – Guide Dogs.
In the past few years we’ve sponsored Bea, Kacey and our new Guide Dog, Eden.
growing well
Growing Well began almost twenty years ago on a six-acre organic market garden at Low Sizergh Farm, near Kendal adding a new site at Tebay Services Northbound, near Penrith.
Providing support for adults across Cumbria and North Lancashire who are struggling with mental health difficulties, Growing Well offers activity as a powerful alternative (or accompaniment) to talking therapy. In their occupationally focused approach, supported by experienced therapeutic growers and mental health support staff, the activity IS the therapy!
ASKHAM OUTDOOR SWIMMING POOL
For those days when the sun is shining, the outdoor lido next door to the festival at Askham provides the perfect place for a dip! We’re proud to support this community pool as one of our favourite Summer spots!
DAVID LYNCH FOUNDATION
All proceeds raised from Tim Peaks Diner from the sale of Tim Peaks coffee go to the David Lynch Foundation. The David Lynch Foundation are dedicated to helping people of all ages from all walks of life in the UK and worldwide overcome stress, suffering, and hardship, and unfold the full potential of life.
A VIEW FROM THE RIVER
A small group of citizen scientists living in the Eden Valley, founded by 3 friends. Last year they swam the length of the River Eden to raise awareness of sewage releases and other pollution affecting the general wellbeing of our beloved local river. They have gathered a committed group of over 20 volunteers to help them with a year-long water sampling project at a dozen critical sites along the Eden.
CUMBRIA WOMEN’S RUGBY
The Cumbria Women’s Rugby team have continued to go from strength to strength, reaching the final of the Gill Burns County Championship at Twickenham in 2024. As big fans of the game it is an honour to be a shirt sponsor for such a dedicated side!
CRY for Eden
12 young adults are losing their lives every single week to an undetected heart defect, 80% of those with no prior symptoms whatsoever.
Thanks to the efforts of Donna Mills and Hannah Dawson, over 200 young people have been given free heart screenings in the Eden and Penrith area.
