Volunteers at work on a Fix the Fells scheme

An outdoor brand that sponsors one of the Lake District’s toughest races is teaming up with a retailer to raise cash for footpath repair.

Montane will donate £5 to the Fix the Fells scheme for every product bought at George Fisher’s Keswick shop or its online store.

The Northumberland-based brand, which is the main sponsor of the Lakeland 100 and 50 ultra-races, will run the scheme from now until May.

A company spokesperson said: “Walkers, fellrunners, ultra events, lashing rain, snow and ice; the paths in the Lake District certainly take a battering from both man and nature.

“As headline sponsors of the famous Montane Lakeland 100 and 50 ultra-races, we are only too aware of this.

“These hugely popular ultra-races attract over 1,000 participants each year and while this is only a small proportion of the number of feet pounding the trails, we are well aware of the issue of path erosion and are keen to help maintain paths for the enjoyment of everyone year-round.

“Montane already works closely to support the valuable services offered by serious mountain professionals, like the UK mountain rescue teams and has been raising money to support the vital work of Fix The Fells since the inception of the Montane Lakeland 100 and 50 through responsible tourism charity Nurture Lakeland’s visitor giving scheme.”

Fix the Fells works with the National Trust, Lake District National Park Authority, Natural England, Cumbria County Council, Friends of the Lake District and Nurture Lakeland in its work repairing and maintaining some of the most popular mountain paths in the Lake District.