A businessman who grew up near Maryport has donated £100,000 to Cumbria Community Foundation's Cumbria Covid-19 response fund.

Former Cumbrian Mike Wombwell, who now lives in Cornwall, wanted to support the fund to help the foundation provide additional resources to local groups supporting families.

He said: "Now my parents have died, I very rarely get up to Cumbria, but even when living overseas, I liked hearing the snippets of news about the region and watching TV programmes about Cumbria.

"I often get a twinge of homesickness and have many fond memories of the countryside and people of my early years.

"I wanted to ‘do my bit’ to help to reduce the risks to some of the most vulnerable in society.

"I am making donations in Cumbria and Cornwall with a focus on alleviating difficulties faced by families with children in being able to afford the basics.

"I find myself in a privileged position where I can help, so I will. In fact, I think I should, and I am very happy to do so."

Since Cumbria Community Foundation launched the response fund three weeks ago, it has received more than £900,000 in donations, but also requests for almost £750,000 from charities.

Mike's contribution has been a very welcome boost for the foundation.

Andy Beeforth, CEO at the charity, said: "In three weeks, over 90 applications from charities and community groups have been received, requesting almost £750,000 between them.

"The need is great, and we can only support these groups thanks to our generous donors.

“Hundreds of people have donated so far and what this crisis has done is bring together a community. "We continue to be inspired, but not surprised, by the generosity of people who care about Cumbria. "The money that’s been donated is helping groups make an enormous difference in their communities, but we know that need is still growing and is likely to do so for some time.”

Mr Wombwell grew up near Maryport and attended Keswick Grammar School, before completing a Business Studies degree, sponsored by the British Steel Corporation, at Sheffield Polytechnic.

He then lived and worked in the UK, Middle East, Germany, Vietnam, California and Dubai, before moving to Cornwall.

For more information on how to make a donation go to: www.cumbriafoundation.org or for groups wanting to know more about funding go to: www.cumbriafoundation.org/fund/covid19-response-fund or contact the grants team on grants@cumbriafoundation.org