Thank you to everyone who took part in Light up a Life 2009

We hope that the services were of comfort to those who attended. Hundreds of lights shone in memory of those we have loved and lost. In total, the campaign has raised around £12000 for St Mary’s. This will help us to continue to make a real difference to the lives of their patients and families, friends and carers.

Our Barrow Service took place on Wednesday 2nd December 2009 at the Town Hall. The turnout was wonderful and our thanks go to the Mayor of Barrow, Councillor Dorothy Dawes for hosting the event.

Our Ulverston service took place on Sunday 6th December at St Mary’s RC Church, Victoria Road. We were all treated to the sound of the wonderful “Voce” who stepped in at the last minute to support the event.

Thank you to all who attended the Services.

Local artist to sell unique illustrations in aid of St Mary's

David Pooley is a well known local artist who has recently set up his own business specialising in pencil illustration. David undertakes commissions from photographs including:

- Portraits of family or a friend, which can make a wonderful gift or can be a special reminder of those closest to you.

- A permanent reminder of a much loved pet – if you have a favourite picture of a cat, dog, horse or any other pet, this can be transformed into a unique hand-drawn portrait.

- Commission a portrait of your business premises to use on your marketing literature or stationery.

St Mary’s Hospice is delighted to announce that David has offered to donate £10 to the charity when he receives an order either by post, or e-mail that has “ST MARYS” in the reference section of the application.

Zoe Guest, Funding & Operations Manager said "We are delighted that David has chosen to support St Mary's. The work that David produces is wonderful and we wish him well with his new business venture. We hope our working together will be mutually beneficial."

For full details of how to place an order, the sizes of illustrations available and costs please visit: www.dmpooley.co.uk

email: dave@dmpooley.co.uk

or call: 01229 431400 / 07972059232

Santander to raise cash for local charities

Banking group asks customers to nominate recipients of Community Chest Fund

Banking group Santander has launched a scheme to donate 250,000 to local charities across the UK.

The Spanish retail and commercial bank is asking its customers in the UK to vote for the local charities they think should receive funding to mark the rebranding of Abbey and Bradford & Bingley to Santander.

Each of the 1,000 branches will be allocated part of the Community Chest Fund and asked to nominate three local causes, which will be voted for by customers visiting branches of the bank between 11 January and 26 February 2010.

Christianne Carrick, community relations manager at Santander, said the initiative was "part of Santander's ongoing commitment to local communities".

This is a great opportunity, so encourage your staff and supporters to get down to the branches and vote for their local hospice. A list of branches across the UK can be found on the Abbey website.

The Ulverston Branch have nominated St Mary’s Hospice as one of their 3 local charities so please visit and vote for us!

Having a post Christmas clear out? Then why not help St Mary’s

If you have any unwanted Christmas presents then why not donate them to help St Mary’s Hospice. The Hospice’s seven shops in South Cumbria need toys, clothes, bric-a-brac, CDs, DVDs, books and jewellery to keep the shelves well stocked.

Zoe Guest, the Hospice’s Funding & Operations Manager, said:

“Many people will have received Christmas presents that may not be quite what they wanted. Our Hospice shops would welcome these items to resell to its customers and raise funds to care for our patients and their families. We would also welcome any second hand goods you may no longer need because they have been replaced by something you received as a present at Christmas.”

Funds raised through the shops enable St Mary’s Hospice, to continue to make a real difference to the lives of their patients and families, friends and carers.

The Hospice’s 7 shops are in Barrow in Furness, Dalton in Furness, Ulverston, Bowness and Grange . General donations can also be taken to the Hospice in Ulverston. For further details of your local shop click here.

Young farmers raise money in sponsored cyle ride

St Mary's would like to thank the Southern District of Young Farmers for raising an amazing £400. The money was raised by the young farmers who took part in a sponsored cycle ride from Carlisle to Newcastle.

Pictured: Dora Greenway, St Mary's Fundraiser and Andrew Long, Southern District of Young Farmers member

Jan de Vries Talk raises £500 for St Mary’s

On 11^th January world-renowned naturopath, author and broadcaster, Jan de Vries, delivered a talk on How to Live a Healthy Life through a holistic approach to well-being in the Lisdoonie Hotel in Barrow in Furness.

The talk, organised by Bioforce, UK leaders in herbal medicine and Pastures New, 66-70 Scott Street, raised a total of £500 which has been donated to St Mary’s Hospice.

Jenny Stalker, Matron at St Mary’s said “It was a wonderful evening and the talk given by Jan de Vries was very inspirational. On behalf of the patients and staff at St Mary’s I would like to thank the organisers for the donation we received, which will be used to support our work providing palliative care for local people.”

Gilbert and Sullivan's Ruddigore to raise money for St Mary's

Barrow Savoyards proudly present

Gilbert and Sullivan's Ruddigore (or The Witch's Curse)

Monday 22nd to Saturday 27th February 2010

Forumtwentyeight, Duke Street, Barrow-in-Furness

The comic opera Ruddigore makes a return to the stage. Ruddigore has one of the funniest libretto created by the Gilbert and Sullivan duo.

Foundling Rose Maybud is the prettiest girl in the village, but should she marry farmer Robin Oakapple or his sea-faring foster brother Richard Dauntless? Why is the dastardly Sir Despard so pleased to discover his elder brother is alive? And what made Mad Margaret mad? The witch's curse has ruined everyone's lives but with the help of the ghosts that haunt Ruddigore Castle the plot will be unravelled and in true Gilbert and Sullivan style somebody will live happily ever after.

Barrow Savoyards will kindly donate to St Mary's Hospice £1 for every ticket sold for the performance on Tuesday, February 23.

For more information or to purchase a ticket please contact Forum 28: 01229 820000