Organised by Friends of the Lake District's Flora of the Fells project, the first ever ‘Fell Care Day' saw 120 volunteers and 50 school children descend on the Helvellyn area, undertaking a range of tasks including rebuilding 25 metres of dry stone wall sheepfold, repairing woodland paths, clearing drains to prevent erosion on upland paths, and a sky high litter pick along Striding Edge, Swirral Edge and Red Tarn.

School children from Patterdale and Yanwath built a red squirrel hide from willow, learned about water and conservation and made lots of bird boxes for the local area. Six volunteers were also trained in surveying for red squirrels.

The day was documented by professional photographer Peter Cairns of the 2020Vision project and students from the University of Cumbria are producing a video diary of the day's events.

The landscape conservation charity organized the ‘Fell Care Day' at Helvellyn on Thursday 29 September to highlight the huge role that volunteering plays in conserving and managing the fells, and how the land is managed for water.

More than 20 organizations took part, including volunteer groups from Friends of the Lake District, the Dry Stone Walling Association, the Lake District National Park, Natural England, Grasmere Red Squirrel Group, 2020 Vision Project, Fix the Fells, and United Utilities, along with staff from Lakelovers Cottages and Rydal's Cote Howe B&B.

Cakes were donated by Grasmere's Baldry, Greens and Miller Howe tea rooms, Croft Bakery, Heidis and Bilbos Cafés, Grasmere Lodge and Butharlyp Howe Youth Hostel, and Nicks Kitchen, Ambleside, The Apple Pie Café, Café Altitude, Adventure Peaks and the Lodge in the Vale at Thirlmere.

Sue Manson, Flora of the Fells Project Officer said: ‘It's been a fantastic day, we've had brilliant volunteers who've thrown themselves into the activities and achieved a lot. Positive feedback from volunteers was amazing, everyone seemed to really enjoy it and get something out of the day. We can't thank everyone enough, including volunteers from Fix the Fells who led the footpath drainage work, the Grasmere Red Squirrel group and staff from United Utilities, Natural England and the LDNPA who helped run the different conservation activities. The day has raised the profile of the immense amount of work which goes into taking care of the fells not only by volunteers but also by the organisations managing the landscape. We hope word will spread and encourage people to book onto helping with our Ennerdale Fell Care Day on Tuesday 18 October where we'll be planting lots of juniper amongst other activities'.

We are also running a second Fell Care Day in Ennerdale on Tuesday 18 October. For more information, or to volunteer contact Sue Manson, Flora Events and Communications Officer on 01539 733187 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

See lots more photos of the day on our Facebook page.
Watch the piece on Border TV of the day here.

Organisations supporting the Fell Care Days and taking part: United Utilities, Friends of the Lake District & volunteers, Natural England, Heritage Skills Initiative at North of England Civic Trust, Fix the Fells volunteers, Lake District National Park Authority & volunteers, Drystone Walling Association, 2020 Vision Project, Lakelovers Cottages staff & client volunteers, Grasmere Red Squirrel Group, Wainwright Society, Cote Howe B&B, Baldry's Tea Rooms, Grasmere, Miller Howe Café, Grasmere, Croft Bakery, Grasmere, The Apple Pie, Ambleside, Nicks Kitchen, Ambleside, Café Altitude , Adventure Peaks, Ambleside, Greens, Grasmere, Heidis Café/ Grasmere Lodge, Lodge in the Vale, Thirlmere, Butharlyp Howe Youth Hostel , Grasmere, Bilbos Café, Lakeland, Climber and Runner, Ambleside.