Barry Walden’s involvement with Hull charity the Society of MICE goes back to the early 1960s
Barry Walden has dedicated much of his life to fundraising through the Society of Mice.(Image: The Society of Mice)
One of Hull’s longest serving charity fundraisers has been celebrated for his selfless work and is in contention for a Pride of Britain Award. Barry Walden, who is 85, has spent the last 65 years of his life raising money for good causes through his involvement with renowned all-male charitable group the Society of MICE.
The entertainer from near Hessle is preparing to travel to London ahead of next week’s Daily Mirror Pride of Britain which will be broadcast on TV and is a celebration of the country’s most extraordinary citizens. Former primary teacher Barry, who is also a trained mechanical engineer, says he is amazed to have made it to the final despite his role in raising hundreds of thousands of pounds through the charity.
“I joined the MICE when I was 20 in 1961,” he explained. “In those days you were nominated and we’d been spotted in a pub in Hull. I’ve carried on ever since and I’ve been king mouse three times now – that’s like president or vice president – and I’ve been secretary for many, many years.
“It’s been a life’s work and I’ve met some fabulous people and had some fabulous times. We’re a really good group of blokes. The camaraderie is brilliant and I always feel the cash we raise is a by product of having fun, really.”
Barry’s time in MICE has seen him perform across the region in clubs, pubs, care homes and sheltered accommodation. In his more than six decades of involvement, the charity has evolved to take donations, stage events such as golf days and attract new blood.
The group has helped countless people and causes in the region, from providing a wheelchair for a Hull student struggling to attend lectures to helping to pay a year’s rent for a stroke support club’s premises.
“It’s been a great experience and I think it prolongs life – going around singing and enjoying yourself,” said Barry. “I’ve been retired 25 years and it’s filled a lot of my time up, and I’m a very busy person.”
Barry started out as a drummer when he first joined the MICE, coming together with two friends to form a skiffle group. They joined a variety performance association and travelled around the county performing for 30 shillings a night. But having been a choir boy, he graduated to singing.
His purpose in MICE has helped Barry through some of his own life challenges, not least the death of his eldest daughter in recent years. He says the activity has “really put the life back into me.”
“We’re looking for small causes that perhaps don’t get much attention,” he added. “We don’t seek publicity but it’s certainly nice to be recognised. I think this award nomination is really opening things up for us, with people becoming aware.
“Raising money in a deprived area is difficult but the people of Hull are so generous. We sang in Asda the other day for a breast cancer charity and people were so willing to put money in the buckets – they put money in that they don’t have really.
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