Corrie legend Julie Goodyear to donate Bet Lynch’s jewellery to raise money for charity

Corrie legend Julie Goodyear MBE has announced she will be donating a large chunk of her character’s jewellery to be auctioned off.

Julie played the Rovers Return legend Bet Lynch from 1966 to 2003, and is one of the most recognisable characters, donning unforgettable amounts of cheetah print, bright lipstick and plenty of gold chains. 

She’ll be auctioning off the jewellery in aid of Willow Wood Hospice in Ashton-under-Lyne, as they can no longer go ahead with their 21st anniversary due to Covid-19 restrictions. 

She 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.”

Among one of the items is the iconic bird cage earrings that Bet wore as she left 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.”

Next month, Willow Wood were set to have a Corrie-themed fundraiser to run alongside the soap’s 60th Birthday, however the plans have been scrapped due to the pandemic. 

The charity has patrons including the late Roy Barraclough and Last of the Summer Wine’s Kathy Staff, who also played Vera Hopkins in Corrie.

Currently, Julie Hesmondhalgh who played Hayley Cropper in the soap is also a patron.

Karen added: “We have a lot of Corrie fans amongst our supporters and volunteers so were really looking forward to a pint, a bowl of hotpot and a lot of Corrie anecdotes from our patron Mark Llewellin who has been connected with the show for over two decades and a Coronation Street tour guide and expert.

“It was such a shame when we had to cancel and of course, it has certainly affected us financially.”

As part of the new fundraising, patron Mark Llewellin – who has been connected to the show and is a Coronation Street tour guide and expert – has created a fan film about the show with many of the cast making an appearance.

The film will feature tales from the shows last 60 years and will feature the likes of Julie Goodyear, Julie Hesmondhalgh, Amanda Barrie, Jennie McAlpine, Sally Ann Matthews and Ted Robbins.

Karen said: “Rather than just showing it to our existing supporters we are hoping that Corrie fans around the world will make a donation and download the film to watch at home wherever they are.

“Every penny will go to providing palliative care and to support those in our community with other long-term issues such as dementia.

“We can’t thank people enough – Corrie fans are definitely streets ahead!”

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