CUMBRIA has thousands of community groups right across the county, supporting people from all walks of life in hundreds of different avenues.

The county prides itself on a strong sense of community, which made the judging for The Community Group of the Year award sponsored by Cumbria Police, Fire and Crime commissioner incredibly tough according to the Deputy Mike Johnson on awards evening.

However, the award was picked up by founder of the Hiking Household Laura Earl, who despite being a mum of four began working tirelessly in lockdown to create walks throughout the county to help other people in her position who may have been struggling bringing up children in the pandemic when restrictions were in place.

The Hiking Household has worked tirelessly, for free, for three years trying to help families get outside more and access our local green spaces and outdoor areas.

Laura developed a free website, learning on the job, to showcase over 200 family friendly walks for other families to enjoy.

They also host family walking groups to help get more families outside and enjoying their local area as well as helping their health and wellbeing.

She has no background in web developing, and her website has now over 200 Cumbrian family friendly walks.

The nominator said: “As we came out of lockdown Laura helped bring the new mums of lockdown together with her family walking group, when we could only meet with 6 people, she formed small walking groups for mums of lockdown to help get these parents outside and socialising with other new mums.

“The response was overwhelming and she helped many new mums build up confidence and reduce their loneliness and improves their health and well-being.”

Laura Earl from the Hiking Household said “I’m absolutely shocked, really shocked I just really wasn’t expecting it at all, everybody is so fantastic the other community groups were brilliant, so I really wasn’t expecting to win.

“It can be really hard because my children are getting older, so it’s just me on my own with the four kids, but this has definitely given me a new lease of life to carry on, you don’t see these people who are using the website it’s quite hands off, so to know that people are using it and it is getting recognised is just really good.”

The Runners up in the category were Cockermouth Emergency Response Group, Workington Town Supporters clubss and Owl Blue AFRID friends.