A West Cumbrian musician has raised over £17,000 for the area’s hospice at home service.
Ged Hagan, of Cleator Moor, has donated the fees from local gigs to Hospice at Home West Cumbria for the last two years.
Ged has performed at pubs, clubs and bars around Cumbria – travelling over 3,000 miles in the process.
Starting off with light bookings, venues started asking Ged to return regularly and his diary quickly become busy, meaning he now plays two or three times a week.
Paula Dalling, of The Bush Inn, Cockermouth said: “Ged is a true gentleman with a huge heart, he is an unsung hero! Every time he plays at The Bush Inn he gets a huge response from the crowd and everyone loves him!”
Ged said he donated his fees to the charity because it was easier than running a marathon or swimming the English Channel.
He said: “I’ve been amazed at the efforts of so many West Cumbrians raising money for local charities. I would have loved to have joined Gary McKee on his marathons, but my running days are far behind me now and I don’t think my 25m swimming certificate would get me across any lakes or the channel!
“So, when thinking about what I might do to raise funds, I thought about how much I enjoy singing and playing guitar.
“I only intended to play at local charity fundraising events but soon I was being asked to play paid gigs in pubs, clubs and bars. I decided that it would be a good way of fundraising – I get to do what I love, the venue (hopefully) get what they need, and the charity get a few bob too – everyone’s a winner!”
Holly Harkness, community fundraising co-ordinator for Hospice at Home West Cumbria, said: “It is incredible the amount of time and effort he gives so generously to raise funds and to support our charity. A huge thank you to Ged for all he has done over the years, it is fundraisers like him that mean we are able to provide high quality palliative and end of life care to those who need it.”
Ged added: “I’d really like to thank the staff at Hospice at Home West Cumbria for all their help. I’d also like to thank all the venues and party/event organisers that have invited me to play for them and for their continued support over the last two years, it is very much appreciated. I’d also like to thank my wife, Pat. She’s my roadie, sound engineer, wardrobe manager and most honest critic. I couldn’t have done any of this without her!”
The funds raised will help the charity to continue to offer home Nursing, family and bereavement support, complementary therapies and lymphoedema care in West Cumbria.
