Maintaining Skiddaw House is a major undertaking, and there are several ways in which you can help:
- By staying at Skiddaw House - and telling your friends!
- By becoming a 'Voluntary Warden' - See this page.
- By joining a 'Work Party' - See this page.
- By becoming a 'Friend' or a 'Patron' of Skiddaw House. This helps you keep in touch, and provides us with much needed funds to continue the restoration and maintenance of the building. Please read on for more details.
Firmly under the wing of YHA as an Enterprise Bunkhouse, an increasing stream of discerning visitors have been enjoying the miracle of Skiddaw House’s rebirth. The former Friends of Skiddaw House, dedicated to its success, have created "Skiddaw House Foundation", a charitable company No. 6070847 (now registered for Gift Aid) committed "to supporting the charitable objects of YHA, particularly by the provision of simple accommodation at Skiddaw House.... and to restore, maintain, improve and extend the use of Skiddaw House primarily in an environmentally sympathetic way." Most of the Trustees have long associations with Skiddaw House and all bring wide experience and enthusiasm to an inspiring challenge.
The setback of major storm damage to the roof has been rectified, and a new propane-fired generator installed to keep the low-voltage lighting system powered up, as well as driving the washing machine when required. The old gas water-heaters have been repaired to serve until we can fund and install a more sustainable system.
But much work remains to be done - to stabilise the buildings/structure, improve the level of comfort, meet the ever increasing statutory requirements and move towards a long-term “greener” operation. As we write, great news comes of a substantial grant from Cumbria WM Environment Trust for sheepswool insulation, water-sterilising equipment and photovoltaic panels on the roof to charge our batteries. The challenge for the Foundation is covering our part of the cost (‘match funding’), and financing other essential improvements.
This is why we are seeking your help now.
YHA Skiddaw House now has a long life ahead and we want everyone's stay to be comfortable as well as memorable. Martin, Marie-Pierre and the Foundation are passionate about this and know what will be needed in hard work, improvements and cost. All our funding will be spent to good effect, guided by good advice. You can help us by becoming:
- A "Friend" of Skiddaw House - annual membership £10, (increased to £12.80 by Gift Aid).
- A "Conserver" of Skiddaw House - if you are keen, active, preferably skilled, and can give time, alone or with work parties, at and around the House.
- A "Patron" of Skiddaw House (really committed - as we know some of you are) for £500, boosted to £640 by Gift Aid, with your name on a plaque at the House, to really jump-start our plans.
Please click here for an application form to become a 'Friend' or 'Patron' of Skiddaw House.
You can read or download (right-click on the "download" link and select "save target/link as") a trifold of the message above in PDF format (requires Acrobat Reader). This can then be printed and distributed to other interested parties. When printing ensure that you print double-sided, and the right way up. Also use high quality printing.
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