TWO women have raised more than £4,000 for charity in memory of their husbands. 

John Oliver and Tony Barker passed away last year and their wives, Dawn and Diane, decided to do something in their memory. 

The pair held a charity fundraiser concert at The Solway Hall in Whitehaven which has raised thousands for Hospice at Home. 

Mrs Oliver said of husband John: "He wasn't just my husband, he was my rock, soul mate and best friend.

"Unfortunately, during the pandemic he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer again. He had to fight hard for his own life at the age of 70, while he was still trying to keep his business and employees at work, working 24/7 rescue recovery for all major breakdown companies from his garage WW Autos.

"After three years, 32 chemotherapy sessions, numerous trips to Newcastle RVI Hospital for specialist treatments, and micro ablation, he lost his fight with this demon cancer."

Whitehaven News: Over £4,000 was raised for Hospice at Home Over £4,000 was raised for Hospice at Home (Image: Supplied)

Donation buckets were held on the door along with fundraising on the night. 

Mrs Barker said: "Tony was a loving husband and father of two boys. He worked hard to provide for his family as a monitor at Sellafield.

"We spent many of our holidays travelling to European cities to indulge his thirst for history. 

"Tony became unwell in lockdown, and the RVI in Newcastle discovered Tony had a rare type of brain tumour.

"He was given a craniotomy to relieve pressure, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy. Tony's brain tumour was stable for 18 months, then began to grow again.

"He endured another ten months of chemotherapy until a month before his death on October 19, 2023."

Both Dawn and Diane praised palliative care nurse, Kirsty Bristoe, of Hospice at Home for her support during such difficult times. 

Mrs Oliver said of the January 12 event: "Diane, myself, and our families wanted to give something back to Hospice at Home on behalf of our partners Tony and John."

The pair thanked Anne Kelly from The Solway Hall and her team of volunteers, as well as Julieanne Mitchell and Malcolm Dowler for compering the event. They also recognised the generosity of local singing artists Sophie, Rose Finn, and the Zebras, Phillip Lewthwaite, Louise Ritson, and Melanie Clapham.