Last updated at 14:44, Tuesday, 26 March 2013

A CHARITY talent show, based on popular TV programme Britain’s Got Talent, is gearing up to return this year – and organisers have announced their chosen causes.

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Lakes Got Talent is hoping to build on the success of last year; and money raised will be split between Alice’s Escapes and the Evening Mail’s Reaching Out campaign for St Mary’s Hospice.

The new website for the competition, which allows people to apply for this summer’s talent show, was due to go live today.

Organiser James Farrow said he is looking forward to the show and hopes it will be bigger and better than last year.

He said the two charities were the obvious choices for the event to support.

St Mary’s received some of the proceeds last year and Mr Farrow said organisers had wanted to get behind the Reaching Out campaign, which aims to raise £70,000 to replace seven vehicles relied on by hospice staff and volunteers.

Mr Farrow said: “A few weeks ago we asked people on Facebook what charities people feel close to and I think 99.9 per cent were agreeing on Alice’s Escapes.”

He said organisers had agreed with that decision and, after getting approval from the charity’s founder Vicky Pyne, made it one of their nominated causes.

He added: “She was really enthusiastic about it and keeping Alice’s legacy going.”

The charity was set up by the late Alice Pyne to provide short breaks for seriously ill children and their families.

Mr Farrow said he is confident Lakes Got Talent can top the £1,000 mark this year and already has the support of local estate agent Ralph Spours.

The show held auditions in Barrow and Ulverston last year but there are plans afoot to reach out even further.

Mr Farrow said: “I know we are going to Kendal and we are looking at going to Windermere too.”

The website, www.lakesgottalent.co.uk, has more information.

First published at 10:08, Monday, 18 March 2013
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk