Holiday home users visiting White Cross Bay Leisure Park have raised over £50,000 for conservation projects in the Lake District through a scheme to promote sustainable tourism.

Just one year on from the park’s pledge to embark on a major fundraising drive and reach its target of £50,000, the many donors have exceeded this goal.

White Cross Bay Leisure Park is on the shores of Lake Windermere, and along with nearby Fallbarrow Park and Limefitt Park is a corporate member of the Lake District Tourism and Conservation Partnership, which will use the money to help repair footpaths on upland areas of the Coniston Fells.

The historic route of Tongue House Peat Trod, which leads up to Seathwaite tarn beneath Grey Friar, has been steadily deteriorating. The money raised will go towards repairing lower sections of the path, where users have deviated the original route, and essential drainage work on the upper sections. Other work includes stone pitching and landscaping.

Other footpaths in the region to benefit include Wetherlam, Levers and Stoney Lane. Kentmere and Troutbeck Valleys have also seen considerable work in repairing three severe erosion scars, including the summit path to Yoke, which was visible from over ten miles away.

Under the scheme, each person staying at the parks has been asked to donate £1 to a particular conservation project. Every £1 raised to support these footpaths will receive an extra £2 from the Heritage Lottery Fund. 150 footpaths have been identified as needing help and, over the next four years, the scheme hopes to raise £70,000 each year.

John Morphet, managing director of South Lakeland Caravans, which owns the three parks, says, “Reaching this target is a truly magnificent achievement and we would like to thank all our customers for supporting our fundraising efforts. Our next challenge is to reach £70,000 by the end of the year.

“Although the Lake District is one of the most beautiful places on earth, heavy visitor numbers do take their toll and many footpaths are steadily deteriorating. We are delighted to be a support this scheme, which is designed to minimise environmental damage and encourage a more sustainable tourist industry.”