A BARROW man accused of murder has appeared in court as fundraising efforts continue in memory of his alleged victim. 

Damien Hill made his first crown court appearance yesterday at Preston via a videolink from Preston Prison. The 44-year-old Barrow man, of no fixed abode, spoke only to confirm his details and did not enter a plea.

Hill is accused of murdering Guy Hamilton, a 35-year-old Ormsgill resident who was found in the street near to his Meetings View home at around 10pm on Saturday with serious injuries. He was taken to Furness General Hospital and was later pronounced dead. 

The Ormsgill community has built on its efforts to remember Mr Hamilton following his death. Earlier this week a candle-lit vigil was held outside the shops in Middlefield and tributes, flowers and candles continue to be left at the scene by friends and family. 


Kim Benson at the Tally Ho pub, Barrow Meanwhile, a collection at the Tally Ho pub in Schneider Road to raise money to go towards Mr Hamilton's funeral has generated £260 while a crowdfunding website set up by Paul Morley has raised £295. 

Ormsgill resident Sammi Scholes, a friend of Mr Hamilton's, is today set to meet with the committee of Ormsgill Youth Club and hold talks with Barrow Borough Council over plans to have a permanent memorial put up outside the shops. 

Miss Scholes, of Angle Meadow Lane, has already had an informal discussion with council officials in the hope of installing a plaque on the outside of the Post Office in Middlefield. Mr Hamilton lived in the flat above the Post Office before he moved to his flat in Meetings View, and was a regular visitor to the shops. 

Miss Scholes, 25, said: "Guy was a really nice person, he always had time for everybody even when he was feeling down he still made sure he had time other people. He thought a lot of this community and the people in it so this is why I think he deserves a plaque.

Guy was a gentle giant, a man who would always make time to stop and talk to people even if he didn't know them. He was the type of man who would help anyone in need.

"The local Ormsgill community as well as the wider Barrow community would like to honour Guy with a memorial plaque to be placed at our local shops so that his memory can live on."

On Saturday, a dog walk is set to take place from the Tally Ho to raise money to go towards Mr Hamilton's funeral. Anyone who would like to take part is asked to meet at the pub at 2.30pm and make a donation of £2 per dog. 

Another friend, Stacey Jepson, 29, is set to take part in the 42-mile Keswick to Barrow walk in memory of Mr Hamilton, who completed the challenge last year.