A GROUP of friends have kick-started a fundraising frenzy after their colleague was diagnosed with a life-threatening condition. 

Staff members from Haverigg Prison Visitors' Centre began a campaign when their friend and colleague, Lisa Cloudsdale, fell dangerously ill with an inoperable brain tumour.

Mrs Cloudsdale was diagnosed in October last year and went through a gruelling period of treatment that required her to travel to Rosemere Cancer Foundation in Preston almost every day for six weeks. 

Determined to do something to help, the group rallied round and devised a bucket list of activities that could raise money for Rosemere.

The fundraising kicked off when Mrs Cloudsdale's friend and colleague, Michelle Johns, shaved her head on Tuesday afternoon.

<img src=http://www.cnnewmedia.co.uk/locker/nw/image/cloudsdale-fundraisers.jpg" width=640>

<strong>Lisa Cloudsdale (middle row, centre) with friends, family and other supporters. LINDSEY DICKINGS</strong>

Speaking moments after the event, she said: “I just feel a bit dazed.

 “We’re doing this to support Lisa but we all know someone who has been affected by cancer. 

“At the end of the day, some people lose their hair but don’t have a choice. 

“Rosemere covers such a wider area and so many people from here have to travel to the centre, so whatever little thing we can do to help we should do it.” 

Three brave volunteers also took part in an ice bucket challenge which saw a large amount of cold water and six bags of ice get tipped over their heads. 

Heather Thorn, manager of the visitor centre and one of the volunteers, said: “We decided to do all these things because of Lisa. 

"I took her to Rosemere once and the staff there were so nice. 

"When she said she wanted to raise money, we all decided to get involved and it went from there. 

“It’s so important - especially for this area because if you’ve got cancer and you’re from Millom, Rosemere is where you’re going to go for treatment. 

“We’re just hoping we can raise a lot of money for it.” 

In addition to Tuesday’s activities, the group is also undertaking a number of other tasks such as a sponsored walk up Black Combe and a month giving up alcohol. 

Kelly Smith, who has vowed not to drink any alcohol throughout the month of April, was happy to help. 

She said: "Everyone is doing their own thing so I thought about what I could do. 

"It's good to raise awareness. Everyone has been affected by cancer in some way and it really hits home when it's someone you're so close to."

Mrs Cloudsdale has been astounded by the efforts of her friends and is thrilled to have raised almost £500 for the charity so far.

She said: “I’m overwhelmed. They planned all this without telling me. 

“They’re an amazing group of people and I’m really touched by what they decided to do.

"I think they're all mad but I'm really, really proud of them."

Describing the experience as an "emotional day", Mrs Cloudsdale is delighted to be able to give something back to the centre that is helping her on the road to recovery. 

She said: “Rosemere is a life-saver. 

“You don’t realise how many people are in your position until you go there and, until you’ve been, you can’t appreciate the amount of support that’s out there.”

Michelle loses locks for cause

ONE colleague, Michelle Johns, gave the ultimate sacrifice after agreeing to shave her head.

Friends, family and supporters all gathered round at the Visitors' Centre to support Ms Johns on her quest before exploding into rapturous applause as the last little locks of hair were shorn off. 

Pals brave icy water for charity


Kailey Sleigh does her ice bucket challenge. LINDSEY DICKINGS THREE volunteers braved the chilly temperatures only to face a much more daunting prospect.

Heather Thorn, Steven Lawrence and Kailey Sleigh decided to take part in an ice bucket challenge to show their support for the cause.

Armed with 20 bags of ice that had been donated by Tesco in Millom, the group prepared three large containers filled with icy water that was emptied over the heads of the three participants outside the visitor centre.

Miss Sleigh said: “It’s nothing compared to what people at Rosemere are going through but we’re just trying to do what we can do.”