A BARROW woman who has vowed to keep her late husband's legacy alive and raise money for a worthy cause has received the Evening Mail's Bouquet of the Week.

Lisa Crawford, 46, of Kendall Croft, has been praised for her positive outlook and determination to support St Mary's Hospice, after her husband, Ron, died from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in July.

Mr Crawford was the lead singer of Route 66 and family, friends and band members pulled off a successful charity gig in his memory at the Royal British Legion on Friday August 26.

The father-of-five received care from the Ulverston-based hospice shortly before he died, with Mrs Crawford thanking them for their compassion by donating the proceeds of the emotional event to them.


TRIBUTE: Ron Crawford. She said: "Ron had gone in there in April for respite and he really enjoyed it and he was due to go back in June but he had been in hospital and had pneumonia.

"When he left, the Hospice at Home team had come out on Monday and had him a bed on Tuesday.

"He was in the hospice for a week and they were brilliant with him. They made him so welcome. They let me stay with him overnight."

The charity gig attracted a huge crowd, with 164 guests attending and digging in to their pockets for St Mary's Hospice.

Due to the success of the event, another gig by Route 66 is being planned in November at the Soccer Bar in Wilkie Road, Barrow, again for St Mary's Hospice.

Mrs Crawford was amazed by her husband's courage despite being told by doctors that he did not have long to live.

She said: "It was so quick. They did say at the time he either had six days, six weeks or six months; so me being me I just worked on the long-term and hoped we could have Christmas together but he only had five days.

"I just want to carry on and focus on helping the hospice."

Mrs Crawford was nominated for the Bouquet of the Week by her friend, Nicola Walker, who praised her caring nature and plans for fundraising.

Previous recipients

Walney toddler group leaders thanked with Bouquet of the Week

Barrow market stalwart receives bouquet for fruit and veg trips