New shirt sponsor

[boyliegladbach]

Paul casson did say on Friday night that it would be announced Wednesday

So why has the Mail been allowed to leak it tonight then?

I don't know mate I was just saying what he said.

[Moribund]

Charities pay for advertising all the time (ever see an appeal for "just one pound can..." on TV?). At a guess, I'd imagine that the fee has either come from someone else outside the charity, as in someone is paying for it as a goodwill gesture, or they've figured that the £8,500 will be more than recouped from the benefits this will bring.

Massively positive news.

[McMark]

I'm sure there will be far more in it for the hospice than for PC!! Let's just wait and see folks!!

[blue nige]

Nice to see such big news announced on the club website first and exclusiv......

Oh hang on, forgot this was Barrow AFC for a moment, we don't do PR properly do we?

because Paul Casson uses them for all the exclusives! i.e. story about cookey etc.signing,new shirts etc.,i mentioned this a few months ago and was told it`s Paul Casson`s club,but to be fair not everyone uses the web site and recently i have to admit the mail have given the club a lot of good exposure!

[Steelworks End]

My good friend and long-time Barrow supporter, Tony Lynch, spent his last days in the care of St. Mary's Hospice so in a way, for me at least, I'm pleased to see them linked with the club.

Just a personal memory of my mate that other friends will share.

[Ralph]

Like the idea of St Mary's Hospice being connected with BAFC, but as others have pointed out, am surprised that they have to pay for the privilege. Is it me, but the article in the Mail could be read both ways; BAFC receive the money, or the Hospice: “St Mary’s have stepped in by agreeing a one-year ‘partnership’ agreement with the Bluebirds, who will receive GBP8500”.

And is former BAFC man, Martin Lewis still the Hospice’s corporate fundraiser? An article from the Mail back in December 2014 has him so, but can’t find anything more recent, but the Hospice’s website, has Bob Qazi as their Corporate & Partnership Development Fundraiser.

[Ste Story]

Nah Martin Lewis works up the coast for some energy company now.

[Ste Story]

Even if the benefits for the society will be vast, I still don't see why we as a supposedly community orientated club are taking money off a cancer charity... Whatever the benefits, they could be increased by £8500 in a second.

Be interested to see the full story by I'd imagine people who donate money to the hospice may feel a bit dishearted to know it's going to a football club owned by a millionaire?

You can say the club needs the money, but we probably spanked much more than that on the gherkin the other month, supposedly to increase our draw for sponsor so we aren't left scrounging off a charity for money?

Robbie Williams has probably been paid 8500 by us the last season or two.

[GTBLUE]

My good friend and long-time Barrow supporter, Tony Lynch, spent his last days in the care of St. Mary's Hospice so in a way, for me at least, I'm pleased to see them linked with the club.

Just a personal memory of my mate that other friends will share.

I was thinking the same John. Whenever I see St.Mary's Hospice on the back of the shirts, it will always remind me of Tony.
But I agree with much of what Ste has said. But wait and see I guess.
Front of shirt sorry.

[Moribund]

So Barrow AFC are happy with the deal, St Mary's are happy with the deal - and the fans are still moaning... Always the way.

Do you think that St Mary's don't pay for marketing, PR etc? They pay way more than that to individual members of staff to do those jobs, whereas the benefits from this deal to the Hospice will be much greater than what they can normally expect to achieve. Plus AFC recoup a bit of cash.

It's a great deal, and it seems there's always people trying to do down the club.

[saltcellar]

St Mary's Hospice version of the partnership.

Barrow AFC Partners with St Mary’s Hospice

22-Apr-2015
Barrow AFC has teamed up with St Mary’s Hospice for the 2015-16 season. Barrow AFC is joining forces to raise awareness of St Mary’s Hospice thanks to a new partnership which will be launched in August.

A number of activities will take place between St Mary’s Hospice and Barrow AFC during the season. Including the football club holding an awareness day and organising collections for St Mary’s Hospice at selected matches.

The charity’s branding will be on the team kit and visible at the football ground and its facilities to mark the partnership and to help encourage the community to access and support St Mary’s Services.

Steven Casson of Barrow FC says: “As a club at the heart of the Barrow, it’s important for us to be involved in our community. One of the best ways to do this is by supporting St Mary’s Hospice which provides an essential service in our area.”

“Many people have experienced St Mary’s through family and friends. By helping the hospice in whatever way we can, Barrow AFC is showing how much it appreciates the invaluable work it does.”

“We believe that the partnership with St Mary’s Hospice and the sponsorship of the Furness Building Society creates a hub where business and the community interests can meet to build to the future.”

Val Stangoe, St Mary’s Hospice CEO, says: “We are delighted at the partnership with Barrow AFC. Forming partnerships in the heart of our community is important for us to get the message about what the hospice does and all our services out to people. To make sure help reaches the people who need it, including patients, their carers and families. We provide a wide range of services to enhance quality of life and provide care choices: whether people want to come to the hospice or stay at home, we have the services to enable that. With Barrow AFC’s support we can reach more people.”

St Mary’s Hospice care is free for everyone who needs it, but the Hospice does have running costs: only 20% of funding comes from the NHS. So St Mary’s relies on the generosity of the community in terms of volunteers’ time and fundraising to continue its well respected work. Barrow AFC will help raise vital funds for the hospice by organising collections at selected matches, supporting St Mary’s Hospice Lottery and encouraging volunteers to donate their time, as well as sharing what the Hospice does to encourage people to access its services.

St Mary’s Hospice Chairman, Norman Broadhurst says: ‘Both St Mary’s Hospice and Barrow AFC have a strong community base, and this is an ideal way for St Mary’s and Barrow AFC to work together and make a real difference to benefit our community. We are looking forward to working together over the next 12 months and are keen to make this a successful year for everyone involved.”

[Mr Positive]

Going to be interesting to see how many people can pick holes in that statement.

[Chris Benoit]

Not sure how we can take 8 grand off a cancer hospice. We as a club should not need to take money to raise collections, support lotteries etc and if the money was from someone away from the charity he could have donated it to the hospice itself. It's good that they are getting some exposure through being on our shirts but the financial side of things don't sit too well with me. The hospice looked after my dad in his final days along with our recently departed friend Pressbox Pete, it's sad that we are taking money from them which could be used on the hospice itself.

[barrowfan_chris]

The club have supported the hospice before i believe didn't some of money raised from our FAT final song go to the hospice.

Sounds promising i suppose in the long run the hospice will probably recieve alot more than the 8k back.

[Middleton Nick]

If both parties are happy with the arrangement that will do for me.