In Memory of Patricia Harrison M.B.E.

Dear friends and supporters,

Some of you may already know that Patricia Harrison M.B.E., New Beginnings Charity Founder passed away after a short illness in December 2022. The legacy of remarkable, clever, feisty, resolute Pat is endless and we’ll celebrate her for the rest of our lives. I think you will agree that most of us have been touched in some way by her incredible acts of generosity and kindness. In fact, from Ukraine to Romania, and Malawi, her clear, determined vision to bring hope and salvation to countless children leaves a sense of bewilderment that so much could have been achieved by a diminutive great grandmother from Kendal. Life had started tough, she talked about it with her usual compulsive panache and humour.

Pat feeding the streetchildren on street of Kyiv

The cramped house, quite literally emptied every week for cleaning, a mother who fought tooth and nail against every adversity, imbuing in her daughter an innate sense of doing the right thing with pride and passion. She didn’t take her grammar school place, educated instead, she said, at the University of Life, with graduations and honours every step of the way. Her MBE from the Queen in 2000 on her 60th birthday being the pinnacle, along with being named Cumbria Woman of the Year. Pat’s charity work when she travelled to Chernobyl area in Ukraine and Belarus to see if her nursing skills could be put to good use. The nuclear reactor had exploded with deadly consequences. It was there she met Norman Wisdom, who later told her that the conditions there were the nearest you could get to hell on earth.

On her way back she’d encountered the heart-breaking plight of Kiev’s street children living in the filth of city sewers and hostile dark places - and pledged to help them. We need to establish a safe house for them, she announced, with all funding coming from here. Most of her friends and family members were dubious, failing to factor in this unstoppable woman’s resolve, grit, tenacity, powers of persuasion and sheer bloody-minded obstinance when it came to getting her own way. She majored in crushing obstacles, destroying detractors’ arguments, winning-over the faint-hearted and achieving the impossible. Week by week it seemed as if the whole of South Lakeland – and beyond - had been galvanised by her amazing vision; schools, organisations, groups, churches clamouring to be part of the great Genesis House crusade, offering anythingand everything from bathrooms to books.

Even Norman Wisdom was roped in, hilariously welcoming Pat in his Isle of Man home to see what needed to be done. It took just 3 years from start to finish to buy, equip and establish the home that was going to impact on so many lives – and become the pebble in the pool she said it would, with ripples going well beyond one small charity based in Kendal.

When the British Ambassador Sir Robert Brinkley opened its doors in 2004, he hailed the victory of Pat and the New Beginnings charity she had established with her long-time ally and friend Paul Smith. Andrey Donsky had arrived at her door from Kiev looking for refuge after Chernobyl. Of course, he couldn’t have found a better place. He and his family became a huge part of her and her families’ lives, greatly benefitting the charity. His parents Sasha and Olena were the first foster parents at Genesis House.

A proud moment - opening of Genesis House in Ukraine

Little could anyone have imagined then the horrors that Russia is now inflicting on Ukraine and the important part New Beginnings is playing in providing aid and sanctuary to the victims of this horrific war. Pat always saw the big picture, the baby boy she wrapped around her until his sores healed, knowing this foster child would always have to be hers. The air miles she travelled, collecting free miniature bottles from passengers – for raffle prizes. Countless events she organised on a relentless quest to raise money to help others. And at the heart of it all was her family, her pride and joy. Shamelessly courting publicity, because recognition brought donations, she was a little surprised to get a note signed TH congratulating her on her many successes. She’d known Tony way back and was delighted he’d made contact. Theirs became the ultimate love story and the cherished years they shared brought her great happiness, comfort and peace. Tony was her rock, the one who could match her, defend her, care for her so selflessly and completely. The Queen described Prince Philips as her strength and stay.

Tony was Pat’s. In her precise and comprehensive notes for funeral arrangements it was no surprise that this final journey was to be in her wedding dress. Pat had that exceptional gift of making those she met feel special, worthwhile, instilling in them a will to do her bidding, to stand out, make a difference, follow a path she had so brilliantly and ingeniously carved out. I’ve no doubt, she’s up there organising a raffle, bingo night or fundraising dance, spurring on those around her to get stuck in - maybe heaven even has its own version of Kendal Police Club. I was never given looks so I had to make the best of myself’, she used to say, failing to see that she was totally beautiful, inside and out with her twinkling eyes, infectious laugh, massive smile and gigantic heart. There will never be another Pat. How could there be, she was unique and has given us the greatest of gifts, her love and friendship. Pat left us with a lasting legacy of her care for the weakest of this world and New Beginnings Charity will certainly continue the work she started. As the Irish blessing goes, until we meet again Pat, may God hold you in the palm of his hand.

Adapted from Eulogy By Karen Barden