By Queenscourt Crime Correspondent Andrew Brown
Queenscourt Hospice Medical Director Clare Finnegan is living proof that you can’t have your cake and heat it.
The mum-of-two is a well-known local medical consultant with years of experience.
But in a kitchen, according to her family, her chef skills sometimes leave something to be desired.
‘Clare’s Culinary Catastrophe’ crimes have now landed her in serious bother – with a spell in ‘prison’ for this year’s Jail and Bail fundraiser.
To ‘escape’, Clare must raise at least £999 in ‘bail’ money, with every penny going towards Queenscourt Hospice.
You can donate to her fundraising page here: Clare Finnegan is fundraising for Queenscourt Hospice (justgiving.com)
If she doesn’t raise the required amount she’ll need a cake herself – one with a file inside.
Claire said: “My son gave me the title of making the world’s worst birthday cake one year!
“He requested ‘an exploding volcano dinosaur cake’. It didn’t work out well.
“I am not renowned for my cake baking or cake decorating skills.
“Whenever I’m in the kitchen, dinner is always late or over cooked, or both!”
Queenscourt Hospice Medical Director Clare Finnegan is taking part in the Jail and Bail fundraiser.
Photo by Andrew Brown Stand Up For Southport
Clare loves supporting Queenscourt’s fundraising efforts, and recently took part in the annual Star Trekk 10k night walk.
She said: “I enjoyed completing Star Trekk with my daughter, and with supporters from Total Taekwondo.
“There were about 24 of us taking part! We all loved it, it was a great event.
“It was humbling to do as a professional who works at Queenscourt Hospice, to see how much people put in to support the work that we do.
“It was really lovely to see so many family and friends coming together all supporting Queenscourt.”
Claire has been the Medical Director at Queenscourt for the past 18 months and has worked at the hospice since 2012.
The mum-of-two lives in West Lancashire and was born in Halifax in West Yorkshire.
She studied at Liverpool University before taking on her first medical job at Southport Hospital.
Clare is the Medical Director for Queenscourt Hospice while also providing palliative care in the community across West Lancashire, Southport and Formby, and into Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals.
She said: “I have always enjoyed working at the hospice and being part of the wider specialist palliative care team.
“I love being part of such a brilliant team that provides good who are able to provide excellent care when it is needed most.”
Queenscourt Hospice Medical Director Clare Finnegan is taking part in the Jail and Bail fundraiser.
Photo by Andrew Brown Stand Up For Southport
Asked why she signed up to take part in Jail and Bail, Clare said: “I just want to support the work we do here in the hospice.
“Queenscourt is so heavily reliant on the funds being raised by members of the public for what is a really core part of healthcare.
“For me it was an opportunity to raise some money and to raise the profile of Queenscourt Hospice.”
Every penny raised through Jail & Bail will go towards Queenscourt Hospice, which provides care and support for residents across West Lancashire, Southport and Formby, 365 days a year.
Queenscourt is staging this fundraiser in collaboration with Stand Up For Southport 10am-3pm on Friday, 7th June 2024 at Access Point, based inside the former Southport Magistrates’ Court building, on Albert Road in Southport.
A handful of other local ‘criminals’ have already had their collars felt – organisers are looking forward to bringing them together in June as a ‘chain gang’.
Several local businesses are supporting the initiative on the day.
Queenscourt Hospice Fundraising Manager Liz Hartley said:
“We’re thrilled to join forces with Andrew and the Stand Up For Southport team for this year’s Jail and Bail event. This quirky event isn’t just about fun and entertainment—it’s a testament to our community’s generosity and spirit. Together, our ‘inmates’ are raising vital funds to help us to provide compassionate care to those who need us most. We’re looking forward to laughter, camaraderie, and making a real difference where it counts.”
Stand up For Southport Director Andrew Brown said:
“We are honoured to team up with Queenscourt Hospice to launch the second Jail & Bail fundraiser!
“It’s going to be a really fun way of raising money for an incredible local charity that holds a very special place in the hearts of so many of us.”
Queenscourt Hospice provides access to specialist palliative care either at home (including care homes), hospital or in Queenscourt via the Inpatient Unit or as an Outpatient.
- Please donate to Clare Finnegan’s fundraising page at Clare Finnegan is fundraising for Queenscourt Hospice (justgiving.com)
- For more details or to register your interest please email Queenscourt Hospice Fundraising Manager Liz Hartley at: [email protected] or email: Stand Up For Southport owner Andrew Brown at: [email protected]
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