A 1,300km charity cycle ride across England has begun in Cumbria, with the Cumbria Local Government Pension Fund supporting fundraising for Watchtree Nature Reserve’s Watchtower Project.
The ten-day challenge began at Carlisle Castle this week. Ewan McCulloch, chief stakeholder officer at Border to Coast Pensions Partnership, is cycling from Carlisle to England’s south coast as part of an event linking pension funds and charities across the country.
Although the ride started in Carlisle rather than Kendal, it has a clear Cumbria connection. Watchtree Nature Reserve is based in Cumbria, and its charity appeal is supporting plans for the future of its historic Watchtower site and the surrounding land.
Route links 18 pension fund areas
McCulloch’s route will pass through each of the 18 partner local government pension fund areas whose investments are managed by Border to Coast. The challenge is intended to bring attention to charitable causes connected with those areas while covering the length of England.
The Cumbria Pension Fund is backing fundraising for Watchtree’s Watchtower Project. Westmorland and Furness Council announced the support on 5 August 2026, before the ride got under way.
The council announcement supplied for this report did not state how much had been raised at that point, nor did it set out a target for the appeal. No fundraising total or target had been published in that announcement.
Support for Watchtree’s Watchtower Project
Watchtree Nature Reserve’s appeal is focused on the future of the historic Watchtower site and surrounding land. The reserve is the local beneficiary of the Cumbria Pension Fund’s fundraising support, even though the cycle challenge itself travels well beyond the county.
Kate McLaughlin-Flynn, senior manager for Cumbria Pension Fund, said the team was proud the challenge had started in Cumbria and pleased to help raise awareness of the Watchtower Project.
McCulloch described Watchtree Nature Reserve as a worthy cause. He said the physical and mental demands of the ride were worthwhile because of the support being brought together for charities across England.
People who want to support the appeal can donate through the Cumbria Pension Fund’s fundraiser for Watchtree Nature Reserve’s Watchtower Project. The supplied council announcement did not include a fundraising total or an appeal target.