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M-SPORT supports #notjustlakes at Malcolm Wilson rally

This year's Malcolm Wilson Rally takes places on Saturday 12th March and M-Sport has joined forces with social media campaign #NotJustLakes to promote Cumbria and all that the county has to offer.

Following the devastating floods that hit the region in December of last year, a group of social media friends and outdoor enthusiasts created the platform in an effort to support local businesses.

Alex Charlton (@KeswickBootCo) and Gary Redmond (@StanPalmerHonda) roped in fellow ‘tweeters' Paul McLoughlin (@Glocky9), Rod Harrington (@CumbriaWeather) and Beth Pipe (@CumbrianRambler) to pool their collective expertise into the @NotJustLakes campaign.

Cumbria made headline news when pictures of the devastation caused by storms Desmond, Eva and Frank hit the national press. Since then, potential visitors have been cancelling their holidays and local hotels, letting agencies and campsites have all reported a downturn in advance bookings.

#NotJustLakes aims to change that trend - promoting the fact that the floods have subsided and Cumbria's fells, towns and villages are all open with a whole host of attractions to see and do.

As a sponsor of the Malcolm Wilson Rally, M-Sport have the opportunity to place advertising that each competition car must carry throughout the event. This year, that promotional space has been given to #NotJustLakes - promoting the fact that Cumbria is well and truly open for business.

Starting from the picturesque town of Cockermouth, the rally takes in some stunning Cumbrian landscapes with stages in the Whinlatter, Grizedale and Greystoke forests.

M-Sport hopes that the added publicity for the #NotJustLakes campaign will see our region hit the headlines for all the right reasons and entice the hundreds of spectators, competitors and marshals to make a return visit to some of Cumbria's best shops, cafes and local activity centres.

M-Sport Managing Director, Malcolm Wilson OBE, said:

"So many of our local business were affected by the storms that hit our region last year and many are still feeling the knock-on effects. Cumbria has so much to offer and we were very keen to work with the #NotJustLakes campaign on this event. They are doing some fantastic work on social media and I hope that the coverage from the rally persuades many more to get their Cumbrian holidays booked!"

Administrator for #NotJustLakes, Beth Pipe, said:

"Cumbria has something to offer whatever your interests. Of course there are the breath-taking hikes to be found within the national park, but there are also seaside towns with cosy cafes, historical sites which date back thousands of years and an array of cultural events - not to mention those of national and international importance such as the Malcolm Wilson Rally.

"It's vitally important for our local economy that folk keep coming to visit us. There's so much to see and do and it would be a crying shame if the amazing views went unseen and our wonderful local foods were left uneaten.

"Social media is a powerful but noisy environment and the five of us are working together to support and promote businesses across the county by helping them get their voices heard. Our hope is that the combined strengths of the ‘little guys' will do something really big for Cumbria."