Moving monologue raising money for hospice

A moving monologue telling the story of a Bamber Bridge woman’s search for the grave of her beloved brother who was killed in the First World War is being shared with audiences across Central Lancashire in support of St Catherine’s Hospice.

Searching for Matthew tells the story of Lizzie Livesey who travelled to the battlefields of The Somme in France in the aftermath of the Great War, searching for the resting place of her brother Matthew who died in action.
The play – which features extracts from Lizzie’s own diaries set against a backdrop of original photographs – has been written by St Catherine’s fundraising administrator Andy Bennison, and will be performed by Maureen Nickson from the Charity Players.
It launched at Chorley Town Hall in April. Performances are planned across the area through MayJune and July, with the final show taking place at 6.30pm on Tuesday 15th July at Bamber Bridge library.
Now, as Dying Matters Awareness Week – a campaign aims to change public knowledge, attitudes and behaviours towards dying, death and bereavement – draws toan end,community groups are being invited to request a performance of the play at their regular meetings or get-togethers.

Andy, who knew Lizzie when he was a child, said: “This is an emotive story of one woman and the way she coped with the death of someone extremely close to her.
“It follows the feelings she experienced and the way she attempted to cope with her bereavement by travelling to France to try and find the grave of her brother. The issues it raises feel especially poignant as the country marks Dying Matters week, and we are keen to share it with more people across the community – putting a window on one woman’s very real and unique story from a certain time in history, which evokes feelings many can still empathise with.”
Audiences will also be asked for a donation to St Catherine’s Hospice – with all funds raised going towards providing the specialised care and support the charity provides to people affected by life-shortening illnesses across Central Lancashire.
To request a performance of Searching for Matthew at your community group contact Andy Bennison: andrew.bennison@stcatherines.co.uk / 01772 695290.
For more information about our involvement in Dying Matters Awareness Week click here.

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