A COMMUNITY has rallied round to raise money to pay for the funeral of a man who died after an alleged attack. 

Residents of the Ormsgill estate in Barrow have continued to unite in their grief for 35-year-old Guy Hamilton, who was allegedly murdered at the weekend. The Evening Mail understands Mr Hamilton was found close to his Meetings View home with serious injuries and later died. 


With hundreds of friends, neighbours and family members having attended a candle-lit vigil on Monday, the community has now launched a fundraising campaign to pay for Mr Hamilton's funeral. 

Collection buckets have been placed in the Tally Ho pub in Schneider Road, where Mr Hamilton was seen drinking Strongbow Dark Fruits cider less than two hours before he was found dying in the street. 

Kim Benson, whose partner John Northern is the landlord of the pub, said: "He'd been sat in the corner for a couple of hours, he put his two glasses on the bar at about 8.30pm, said 'thank you, I'll see you soon' and then he left. That was the last we saw of him, it had just been a normal night."

Often seen walking his beloved dog Freud around the Ormsgill estate, Mr Hamilton has been described by friends and family as someone who "had his demons" but was well-liked by much of the community. 

POLICE RESPOND TO RUMOURS OVER FUTURE OF GUY'S DOG FREUD

In response to rumours that Freud had been seized and was set to be put to sleep, a spokeswoman for Cumbria police said the dog had been housed in kennels and was set to be rehomed. 

Regulars from the pub, and friends and family, are set to take part in a fundraising dog walk with the money raised to be put towards funeral costs. 


Miss Benson, 26, added: "We want as many people as possible to come out in force and walk for Guy. It's to raise money and also to celebrate his memory by taking the dog for a walk, like he used to do."

WATCH THE VIDEO: Candle-lit vigil held in Ormsgill

Meanwhile, Stacey Jepson, who became friends with Mr Hamilton after she moved to the Ormsgill estate eight years ago is set to take on this weekend's Keswick to Barrow in his memory. 

Having experienced problems with an ex-partner, Miss Jepson, 29, described how Mr Hamilton would write her poems in a bid to cheer her up. 


Stacey Jepson "That was Guy," she said. "He would do anything to help you and he was the estate, he was Ormsgill."

Mr Hamilton took part in last year's Keswick to Barrow. Friends described him as being incredibly proud at finishing the walk, and was seen wearing his medal for weeks afterwards. 

Despite having had no training for Saturday's gruelling 42-mile trek, Miss Jepson, who now lives on Barrow Island, is determined to complete the challenge for her friend. 

The mum-of-four, of Island Road, said: "I've had no training whatsoever, other than taking my dog for a walk every day. It's crazy but he was crazy and this is exactly the sort of thing he would do.

"I am going to do it and I will get to the end because Guy will be watching over me. On Ormsgill we've started calling him our Guydian Angel."

A collection bucket for Miss Jepson's Keswick to Barrow fundraising is available at the Tally Ho pub in Schneider Road. The money she raises will be donated to the two charities Mr Hamilton supported last year; Barrow Foodbank and one of the mountain rescue teams. 

Anyone who would like to take part in Saturday's walk is asked to meet at the Tally Ho at 2.30pm. Walkers are asked to donate £2 per dog and water will be provided. 

MURDER ACCUSED APPEARS IN COURT

:: A BARROW man has appeared in court charged with the murder of Mr Hamilton. Damien Hill, of no fixed address, appeared at Furness Magistrates' Court yesterday morning. 

The 44-year-old, who was wearing a grey T-shirt, blue jacket and jeans, was remanded in custody and will appear at Preston Crown Court tomorrow for a preliminary hearing.