A host of passionate fundraisers have appealed to the Carlisle Ambassadors group to help make the city a better place. 

Around 200 local business people attended today's Carlisle Ambassadors meeting at The Halston Aparthotel. 

Carlisle Youth Zone, the Beijing Biddies fundraisers, and Tullie House were among speakers appealing for support from the business community. 

Carlisle Youth Zone, set up to serve the social, recreational and emotional needs of Carlisle’s young people, was devastated by flooding in December and is only just getting back on its feet. 

Its capacity reduced from over 500 to just 80 and although many costs were covered by insurance, the organisation has had to fund a large amount of costs itself. 

This includes providing extra staff, transport and sports facilities for the city’s young people following the flood damage. Linsey Buckle, development manager from the Youth Zone, said that although her workplace and Petteril Street home were flooded, there is still no place she would rather be than Carlisle. 

She said: “The whole ground floor was destroyed but we have managed to open up the first floor. 

“We are clear that no child will be left behind, and we have had to cover some non-insured costs ourselves. 

This is because we will do whatever it takes to stay open. 

“I live on Petteril Street and my house was flooded but there’s still no place I’d rather be, there is a special bond in Carlisle.” 

Two members of staff from the Youth Zone are climbing Kilimangaro in March in a bid to raise £10,000 to help get the centre back on its feet again. 

Edwina Sorkin revealed that following her efforts to raise thousands of pounds driving to Beijing as one half of the ‘Beijing Biddies’, she is now organising a new trip driving to the Arctic Circle. 

Tullie House head of marketing & operations, Adrian Mason, said that more businesses should get involved with the museum. 

A straw poll of the attendees showed that although all had heard of Tullie House, only a quarter had engaged with it in the past year. 

He said: “We are the area’s largest cultural attraction and an award winner. “We are perfectly places to support the business community, but we need help from members to unlock new funding and attract more visitors.”

Carlisle United’s director of marketing, Phil King, was the event’s keynote speaker, and he thanked the Ambassadors group for helping him to immediately make a series of important business connections when he moved here last year. 

Carlisle City Council’s director of economic development, Jane Meek, asked for input and support for several of Carlisle’s new developments including the Enterprise Zone at Kingmoor Park. 

The next meeting is on April 14 at Carlisle Racecourse. Carlisle Ambassadors is an initiative set up in 2014 by Carlisle City Council designed to encourage businesses in and around the city to work together and influence its future.