Corrie Legend Bet Lynch steps in to help

Coronation Street actress Julie Goodyear MBE has stepped in to help a Greater Manchester hospice after hearing that they had been forced to cancel their 21st anniversary events due to Covid-19 restrictions.

Miss Goodyear said: “I have always taken a keen interest in Willow Wood Hospice, which is a fantastic local charity, as their founding patron was my dear friend Roy Barraclough who played my screen husband Alec. When I heard that they had been forced to cancel almost all their fundraising events in this, their 21st year, I wanted to do something to help.”

The Heywood-born actress has donated a large amount of personal jewellery to Willow Wood Hospice to be sold in aid of funds later this year.

Keen watchers and fans of Miss Goodyear will recognise many of the items worn on Coronation Street, including the iconic birdcage earrings which she wore when leaving the Rovers in 1995.

Karen Houlston, Willow Wood Hospice’s Chief Executive, said: “We are very proud of our links with Roy Barraclough and his family, who continue to support us, and thrilled that Julie has chosen to help us in this way. The hospice relies on volunteers and charitable donations to serve the community of Tameside and Glossop and this year has been tough.”

Miss Goodyear’s jewellery will be sold via an on-line sale in the run-up to Coronation Street’s 60th birthday this December.