Netball enthusiasts honour memory of teacher

Netball enthusiasts from across the North braved wet weather to take part in a tournament to honour the memory of a popular teacher and coach.

Hundreds of people turned out to the Gillian Blain Netball Tournament on Saturday 9th September, held at the Dash sports centre at Dowdales in Dalton, where she taught PE until her death from cancer in April 2010 aged 48.

The annual event, now in its second year, is organised by Lindal Netball Club, where mother-of-two Mrs Blain was a coach.

This year the event raised money for Furness General Hospital – as she received treatment at the oncology unit – and St Mary’s.

A downpour failed to dampen the spirits of the 24 teams, some of whom came from as far afield as Newcastle, Manchester and Preston, to battle it out in 81 games of netball to claim the trophy.

Lindal Netball member Rebecca Griffin rallied support from colleagues at HSBC bank in Barrow, who helped out on the day. The branch agreed to double the amount raised on the day, bringing the grand total to £8,000 and St Mary’s were delighted to receive a donation of £4000 on the 13th October.

Stephanie Blain, Mrs Blain’s daughter, said: “We would like to thank Dowdales for the use of the courts, Lakeside Hotel for donating the main prize, HSBC Barrow and everyone involved. It was a great day.”

St Mary’s would like to thank the team for organising such a successful event and for raising lots of money for the hospice. It is greatly appreciated.