Cumbria Life – Lifetime Achievement Award 2008 Winner
The winner of the inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award was Margaret Burrows who grew up in wartime Barrow, one of nine children. While working as an adult education teacher Margaret developed spinal problems and heart disease. Thenceforward she had to come to terms with life using a wheelchair and with great spirit invoked her own mantra: “out of everything bad something good will come”.
Barrow & District Disability Association was set up in 1981 by a group of disabled people and professionals interested in disabled welfare. Initially, the organisation operated from members’ homes, then in 1987 two derelict terraced houses were acquired and transformed into a centre focussing on access, disability information and advice, fund raising, education, social acitivities and a youth section.
Over a thirteen year period the group fundraised to increase the size of the centre to four terraced houses, two extensions and an upper story to form the present building; it was named the Margaret Burrow Centre in honour of its founder member.