The winners of a photography competition which aimed to capture the best of Cumbria’s scenery and landmarks and support a much-loved local charity can now be revealed.

The competition was organised by Eden Valley Hospice and Jigsaw, Cumbria’s Children’s Hospice and called on local photographers to submit amazing images of the county, with the best selected to appear on the charity’s range of Christmas products, including cards and a 2023 calendar.

Hundreds of photos were submitted to the ‘Our Cumbria’ competition with the winning images selected by a judging panel from the hospice supported by Steve Blake, a professional photographer with more than 30 years’ experience, who has previously worked with the charity.

Richard Jackson, retail manager for the hospice, said: “We’d like to say a huge thank you to everyone who submitted their photos as part of the competition which have helped us create some stunning products for our Christmas range.

“We must also say thank you to Steve Blake for offering his expert opinion and helping us select the very best photos. “We’re incredibly proud of what we have to offer this year and hope the products are popular with our supporters and local customers.

“The Christmas range we sell is always really well received so I’d advise anyone who wants to buy a gift from us to get in quickly.”

The range of Christmas products featuring the winning images, as well as gift wrap, diaries and money wallets, are now on sale via the hospice shops and website at www.edenvalleyhospice.org/shop, as well as by mail and telephone order.

Images selected for the stunning calendar include photos of Lake District scenery, Cumbria’s beautiful coastline and plenty of the county’s cherished wildlife.

Steve Blake, professional photographer, said: “It’s been a pleasure and a privilege to have provided the images for the Eden Valley Hospice and Jigsaw calendar over the past five years and I was delighted to have been invited to join the judging panel in selecting the final images for this year’s calendar.

“The standard of entries was very high and it was a difficult task to narrow these down to the final thirteen (front cover plus twelve months) for inclusion.”

Blake continued: “The winning images, along with many of those that didn’t quite make the final selection, demonstrated a high standard of photography that combine to show Cumbria at its best.”

“I’d like to thank everyone who took the trouble to enter the competition and I wish Eden Valley Hospice and Jigsaw every success with their 2023 calendar.” 

The ever-popular range of Christmas products are a vital source of income for the charity, which must raise more than £3 million each year to continue caring for local adults and children, as well as their families.

Eden Valley Hospice provides specialist care for adults from across north Cumbria with a life-limiting illness while Jigsaw, the only children’s hospice within Cumbria, offers care and support for children and young people from right across the county.

A full list of the winning photographs can be found on the hospice website at bit.ly/calendar-competition.