SELFLESS community heroes are set to be honoured for their efforts when they are treated to a feast of fine dining prepared by some of the world’s best chefs.

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Among the guests at this week’s Lake District Farmers Armstrong Family Charitable Fund celebrity chef event will be a host of tireless local fundraisers and charity workers.

They have been given free tickets, having been nominated by members of the public, to attend the annual three-night event hosted and sponsored by Clarence House Country Hotel and Restaurant in Dalton. 

The charitable fund, set up in honour of well-known Barrow businessman Ray Armstrong, embodies his philanthropic spirit by donating tens of thousands of pounds to local families, charities and community groups every year. 

But Dan Austin, managing director of Lake District Farmers, said: “Charity comes in a number of forms and we try not only to produce for charities but to recognise the people behind them as well - the people who work tirelessly, who contribute a huge amount - as a thank you on behalf of everyone in this community for everything they do.” 

Tomorrow night’s special guests will include the family of beloved Evening Mail journalist Jo-anne Davies, who have already raised more than £20,000 for the FGH oncology unit, St Mary’s Hospice and the Eve Appeal women’s cancer charity since she died in August last year. 

Also attending will be Newbarns couple, Julie and Gavin Andrews, who have raised around £30,000 for the North West Air Ambulance since their son was killed in a collision on the A590 in 2013 - including £1,000 from the Lake District Farmers Armstrong Family Charitable Fund. 

They will be joined by Ulverston mum Kristel Kemp, who last summer raised almost £4,000 for the Rosemere Cancer Foundation by climbing 35 Lake District fells in just five days and doing a 10km Total Warrior challenge on day six. 

Meanwhile unstoppable Walney runner, Grant Johnson, will be taking a night off from an increasingly-strict dietary regime to attend with his girlfriend, Amy Rowlinson. 

Mr Johnson began seeking sponsorship for Kidney Research after Miss Rowlinson was diagnosed with kidney disease, and has raised more than £3,500. 

On Friday, members of the Furness-based Lookin Good Feelin Great women’s cancer support group have been invited to enjoy a night out together. 

As well as being there for each other, the team raised £13,000 for the FGH oncology department within seven months of setting up in April last year.

Zoe Guest, from St Mary’s Hospice, will also be attending with her husband, having been nominated in recognition of her tireless work as the Ulverston charity's head of income generation. 

She said: “It’s my birthday on Sunday, so it will give me a chance to put my gladrags on! 

“It’s funny, my husband had just said to me ‘Should we maybe do something to celebrate on Friday?’, so this will be just amazing. I’m absolutely delighted.”

Cooking for the deserving citizens will be Tom Aikens, Alyn Williams and Jeff Galvin.

READ MORE:  Line-up for the 2016 Lake District Farmers Armstrong Family Charitable Fund celebrity chef event

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