Light up a Life Service, Barrow

Over the past 10 years, thousands of people have sponsored a light on the St Mary’s Hospice trees – families, children donating their pocket money or companies remembering valued members of staff. The lights on the Hospice tree shine as a celebration of the life of someone who has been dear, whether family or a close friend. Lights are also dedicated to commemorate a special moment in life.

At Barrow Town Hall on Wednesday 1st December, hundreds of lights were blessed during our first Light up a Life service for 2010. The service included performances from singers Denis Horan, Amy Shaw and St Paul’s School Choir.

During the service, Zoe Guest, Funding and Operations manager, said: “We know how much this special occasion means to all who dedicate a light to their special someone, in memory of a loved one or to celebrate one of those special moments shared.”

Deputy Mayor, Councillor Ray Guselli, attended the service, along with deputy Mayoress Councillor Jill Heath.

Cllr Guselli said: “Of all the events we have been to this has been the most moving, touching and worthwhile. It was an incredible service.”

Our second service will be held at St Mary’s RC Church in Victoria Road, Ulverston, from 4pm on Sunday.

For more information about Light up a Life click here or call St Mary’s on 01229 580305.

Santas dash to raise cash

The first annual St Mary’s Hospice Santa Dash proved a big hit on Sunday 28th November, as a flurry of red coats and white beards jogged through Ulverston. Local passers-by got quite a shock as a flurry of Santas, of all ages, braved the cold to raise money for the charity.

Setting off from Victoria High School at 1.30pm, men, women and children all got in the festive spirit as they headed down Springfield Road, set on their way by local MP, John Woodcock.

Everyone who entered the 1 mile run/walk got a free Santa Claus costume to keep and a certificate for completing the dash.

Graham Jones, 52, from Dalton, completed the dash with son Rob, 22, in memory of his sister-in-law, who died a couple of years ago. Graham said: “The dash was very enjoyable. I’d definitely do it again next year. It was certainly a new experience running in a Santa costume.”

Rob said: “It was great to be able to raise the profile of the Hospice. Other than the Santa trousers kept falling down it was brilliant!”

Zoe Guest, fundraising and operations manager for St Mary’s Hospice, said: “It has been better than we thought it would be. Everyone seems to have had a really good time. We’ve had 54 entries and I think we can build on that year on year, now that people know what it’s about and how much fun the event is. We would like to thank everyone who took part in the event and also volunteered to support us.”

Stars Shine to aid hospice

The 80’s and early 90’s were revisited on Thursday 25th November when St Mary’s held its own version of Stars in Their Eyes - the fun British Singer impersonation show that saw hundreds of contestants impersonate their favourite showbiz stars.

Local performers came out in force for the chance to mimic their idols and to raise funds to support the Hospice.

The event saw 10 local singers perform firstly as themselves and then after talking to the host for the evening, Mr Pete Murphy, about their job, their life and the universe they then went through the "star door" and (kaboom!) after a few dry ice clouds in the second half of the show they suddenly become the star of their choosing.

Stars in Their Eyes remains one of the UK's most successful shows attracting around 13 million viewers and this showed when hundreds of people filled the Nines, in Barrow for this special event and together raised £1240.

There were special performances during the evening from stars including Marc Bolan, Lady GaGa, Freddie Mercury and Patsy Cline and all for a ticket price of £5!In addition, during the interval the audience was treated to a special performance by Mr Neil McLaughlin as Elvis Presley.

Funding & Operations Manager for St Mary’s, Zoe Guest, said: “All the performers have given up their time for free and the staff at the Nines have let us use their room, which is a fantastic support. I would like to say a big thank you to them all and to everyone who has come along to support St Mary’s. Without the help of the local community we wouldn’t be able to do what we do, and we really appreciate everyone coming to tonight’s event.”

The room, covered in multi-coloured lights, was packed full of applauding people during the show. Host for the evening Pete Murphy, speaking on the night said: “There has been a really nice feeling in the room tonight. Every act we have had on has seemed a little nervous, but they have all done really well. It has been a massive success.”

44th Keswick to Barrow brings in record donation

The Keswick to Barrow Walk is a 40 mile sponsored stroll through some of the country’s finest landscapes. The route starts on the southern side of the lake district town of Keswick and winds its way through some of the most beautiful scenery to Barrow in Furness.

The idea of walking from Keswick to Barrow originated in 1966 as a result of a statement made by the late US President, John F Kennedy to the effect that 'every American should be capable of walking 50 miles a day'. At this time the first Polaris Submarine - HMS Resolution was being built at the shipyard in Barrow and several American experts were resident in the area assisting with the project.

With the idea now conceived, plans were soon under way to organise a walk and build relationships with the crew of the submarine and the workers at the then ‘Vickers’ shipyard. The initiative was taken by the Installation Manager (Submarines) to formally challenge the Commanding Officer of HMS Resolution to form a team and walk from Keswick to Barrow (approx 50 miles) on 1st April 1967.

The Commercial Department of Vickers heard of this challenge and joined in the walk making it a three cornered contest with the crew from HMS Resolution. The Crew of HMS Resolution finally won the contest in face of severe competition. The distance of the walk was later reduced by moving the start out of Keswick to prevent any problems which might arise through congestion on the difficult entry to the town. The more convenient start point of Rough How Bridge was established with a final measured distance of approximately 40 miles.

This year the walk took place for the 44th time and £234,576 was raised from the event, which took place in May. On Wednesday 24th November all funds were given away to hundreds of charities at a presentation evening, which took place at the Forum 28 in Barrow. Since the walk started nearly 2 million pounds has been raised. This year St Mary’s was awarded £14,449 a record individual donation to a single charity. The Hospice cannot thank the organiser’s and walkers enough for this wonderful contribution.