TWO prolific fundraisers have been blown away by the Barrow public's support after their campaign to raise cash in memory of a Walney dad has generated more than £5,000 in two months.

Gordon Cooney bravely fought Motor Neurone Disease since he was diagnosed with the muscle-wasting condition in 2014, just weeks after his 22-year-old daughter Vicky died suddenly in her sleep following a convulsion.


Ray Hayes, Gordon Cooney and Dan Hayes Mr Cooney, who played bass in bands locally for 35 years and taught thousands of youngsters to drive during his 18 years as a driving instructor, died at his home in Strathnaver Avenue, Walney, last August, surrounded by his close family.

Family friends Dan Hayes and Mathew Robson, who were both taught to drive by Mr Cooney, vowed to raise money in his memory and will take on a series of 17 fundraising challenges in 2017 to raise money for the Motor Neurone Disease Association.

Last Saturday, the pair hosted a charity event at Hawcoat Park, and thanks to generous raffle prizes and donations, have already raised more than £5,000 this year on top of thousands raised last year.

"It was absolutely amazing," Mr Hayes, who works at the shipyard, said.

"Me and Mat were blown away by how many people turned up and all the prizes which were donated."

Unbeknown to the friends, representatives from the MNDA also attended, in order to present them with certificates recognising their fundraising efforts since Mr Cooney's death.

Prizes won by lucky ticket holders on the night included a signed Ryan Giggs shirt, hot tub hire for the weekend and other items signed by football stars Wayne Rooney, Zabaleta, Chris Smalling and Gareth Barry.

A rare original bottle of Marsh's Sass made a whopping £300.

Mr Hayes, of Clevelands Avenue in Barrow, and Mr Robson, now have some tough challenges ahead of them.
The pair taking part in a New Year's Dip

Challenges lined up include the Great North Run, Great North Swim, London Marathon, Total Warrior, Manchester Marathon, Blackpool Run, Keswick to Barrow, a skydive, Coast to Coast, London to Paris by bike and on Sunday will take on the Oulton Park Half Marathon in Cheshire.

To donate to their cause, visit the page on JustGiving HERE .