Ged Hagan from Cleator Moor has raised over £17,000 for Hospice at Home West Cumbria by donating his fees from local gigs.
Since August 2021, Ged a guitar vocalist, has selflessly donated his gig fees to our charity over the last two years. Singing a range of folk, country and rock covers in pubs, clubs and bars around Cumbria.
Starting off with light bookings, venues started asking Ged to return on a regular basis and his diary quickly become busy, meaning he now plays two or three times a week in venues.
Paula Dalling, from The Bush Inn, Cockermouth said: “Ged Hagan 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!”.
When asked why Ged donates his fees to charity, 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 Channels! 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!”
Ged has travelled over 3000 miles in the past two years singing all over the county and raising funds for the vital services that we provide.
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 us to continue to offer Home Nursing, Family and Bereavement support, Complementary Therapies and Lymphoedema care in West Cumbria.
To view Ged’s upcoming gigs, please visit: https://www.facebook.com/gedhaganmusic/
For more information on the services we provide, please visit: www.hospiceathomewestcumbria.org.uk