SINGERS raised the roof in a ten hour music marathon on Walney.

The Musical Marathon at St Mary’s showcased local talent who provided music to everyone;s taste, from the traditional to the 80’s classics.

Those who performed included St Mary’s Choir, The Barrow Island Singers, Dalton Town Band, The Ghyll Singers, The Barrow Male Voice Choir and many more.

The Parish Centre at St Mary’s was built between 1980-1981 and has proudly served as a great resource for the whole island since then.

St Mary’s are raising £29,000 to replace the roof.

Rhona Teale, from Walney, who organised the event, said: “We are extremely grateful to the local people for coming and for giving up their time for free.

“I started organising this event in November so it has taken about three or four months of planning.

“This is the start of all of our fundraising.

“By lunchtime we had already raised about £500.

“People have been coming and going, it’s been quite a good general footfall.

“We are really pleased.”

The Parish Centre has served as a home for Brownies, Guides, Seniors Dance Group, youth clubs, Zumba, and hundreds of children’s birthday parties - not including the regular toddler groups and prayer groups that take place.

Mrs Teale said: “I would like to thank my brother Clive Shaw as he has been my right hand man.

“He has done the announcements for the performances and has been filling in in-between.

“Clive is the retired vicar of Millom. He gave me the idea for the Musical Marathon after holding one himself in Millom where it was a great success.”

If you would like to donate you can contact Reverend Andy Batchelor on 01229 227976 or email rev.andyb@gmail.com.