Cicerone will be 50 years old in March 2019

Celebrations will go on all through the year, but they have already begun with the publication of a commemorative book, Fifty Years of Adventure, adding to their range of around 400 titles. Cicerone will also mark this milestone year by raising money for two charities closely associated with outdoor adventures, as well as promising a busy year hosting events to inspire enthusiasts to explore the world.

Choosing a charity relevant and meaningful for Cicerone to support was always going to be a difficult one. Cicerone already supports Mountain Rescue teams throughout the country by sponsoring the publication of mountain safety leaflets to help people make better judgements and decisions when out in the hills and mountains. We wanted to make a sizeable contribution to both a local charity, and also to a charity making a difference to peoples lives in a more remote mountain region of the world. In this way, we felt we could strike a balance.

Bendrigg Trust was an obvious choice for Cicerone. Based in the countryside just north east of Kendal, the Trust has just celebrated forty years helping disabled and disadvantaged young people access outdoor experiences, and in so doing, changing lives for the better. The Juniper Trust meanwhile is also another Cumbria-based charity, currently focusing efforts on rebuilding schools in the earthquake-stricken regions of Nepal. Small enough to get things done, and big enough to be meaningful, the Trust also shares the name of Cicerone's new office building so the choice seemed obvious!

Throughout 2019, Cicerone will give £1 per book sold on their website during the year to these causes. Customers who buy through their website will be invited to contribute as well, either by matching our donation or through this Just Giving page.

As a charity, Bendrigg works hard to ensure their courses are accessible to all regardless of physical, financial or social disadvantage. It is important to Bendrigg that their courses are not restricted only to those who can afford their full fees. The Bendrigg Bursary fund enables socially and economically underprivileged people with disabilities to benefit from the Bendrigg Experience. Without this financial aid, participants would not be able to take part in these life-enhancing experiences. The Bendrigg Bursary awards range from £20 - £206 per person (averaging around £60pp).