By Rachael Grealish

A Cleator Moor musician has raised over £17,000 for Hospice at Home West Cumbria after being inspired by Cumbria’s Marathon Man, Gary McKee.

Since August 2021, Ged Hagan has donated his gig fees to the charity hospice, all while singing a range of folk, country and rock covers in pubs, clubs and bars around Cumbria.

The musician decided to donate his fees to Hospice at Home West Cumbria after being inspired by Gary McKee, who recently completed a marathon every day in 2022.

Ged 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 gets 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 Hospice at Home West Cumbria provide.

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.

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 means we are able to provide high-quality palliative and end-of-life care to those who need it”.

Ged Continued: “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.”

Ged also thanked his wife, Pat, for not only being supportive but for being his ‘roadie, sound engineer, wardrobe manager and most honest critic’. He added: “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.

Ged’s upcoming gigs can be found on his Facebook page.