The first donation of £10,000 has been made to the Save Windermere campaign.
Andy Smith, co-founder of Kendal Calling, said: “We believe that if we’re lucky enough to put our festival on in this beautiful part of the world, then Kendal Calling should not only celebrate the Lake District, but protect it, too.
“This donation to the wonderful lot at Save Windermere is just the start of a five-year journey, during which we’ll be giving back to the incredible place that makes our festival so special.”
Save Windermere is a grassroots campaign working to end all treated and untreated sewage discharges into Windermere, England’s largest natural lake.
The group has contributed to national discussions on sewage pollution.
Steve Reed, environment minister, recently announced that the government has made a new commitment to ending sewage pollution in the lake.
Matt Staniek, founder of Save Windermere, said: “We are incredibly proud and grateful to be supported by Kendal Calling in such an exciting initiative.
“Water quality impacts each and every one of us, and Windermere is the epitome of the exploitation taking place across the country as our lakes, rivers, and seas are being destroyed.
“Today shows that our voice is growing stronger as we collectively call for an end to sewage pollution in England’s largest lake.”
Now in its 20th year, Kendal Calling has already taken a number of steps to reduce its environmental footprint.
The festival has eliminated single-use plastics, promoted greener travel options, sent zero waste to landfill, and adopted more sustainable energy sources.
Its “Leave Nothing But Memories” campaign encourages attendees to take all their belongings home with them, and last year, 98.93 percent of tents were taken off-site.
The new five-year pledge extends the festival’s environmental commitment beyond the event itself and into the wider Lake District.
Once a year, the fields of Lowther transform into a hub of music and entertainment, hosting 40,000 people and temporarily becoming Cumbria’s third-largest town.
Dubbed “the mini-Glastonbury of the North,” headline performances at Kendal Calling this year include Fatboy Slim, Kaiser Chiefs, The Prodigy, and Courteeners.
Although the festival has been sold out since November, fans are encouraged to keep an eye on Kendal Calling’s official resale partner, Tixel, for potential ticket opportunities.
The 2025 edition of Kendal Calling is set to take place from July 31 to August 3, once again inviting festival-goers to enjoy music and entertainment in the Lake District.
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