Sir Chris Bonington will talk about his early climbing life

Everest summiteer Sir Chris Bonington will give an account of his early climbing career to raise funds for a landscape charity.

The talk, at the stately home of a Cumbrian baron, will provide cash for the Friends of the Lake District.

The theme of the Friends’ annual Kirby fundraiser will be: I Chose to Climb, and guests will also be treated to a buffet dinner and reception drinks at the £30-a-head evening at the Hutton-in-the-Forest home of Tory peer Lord Inglewood, near Penrith.

A spokesperson for the charity, which campaigns for and works to protect the Lake District and Cumbrian landscape, said: “The event is intended to raise much needed funds to help protect the Lake District landscape and will include a talk by Sir Chris Bonington recalling his early years, his life in the Lake District, where he has lived for the last forty years, and some of the key and most dramatic moments of his climbing life.

Hutton-in-the-Forest, home of Lord Inglewood. Photo: Jo Turner CC-BY-SA-2.0

“Sir Chris Bonington is a speaker, writer, photographer and mountaineer. His career has included 19 expeditions to the Himalayas, including four to Everest and the first ascent of the south face of Annapurna, one of the world’s most dangerous mountains.”

Tickets for the talk, on Friday 9 September, are limited and must be obtained in advance.

Anyone wishing to book should ring the Friends of the Lake District on 01538 720788 or email them. Bookings can also be made online via the charity’s website.