Looking back on Facebook: how Cumbrians have used it

The social media site is marking its 20th anniversary, having risen from a network for students at a single university to become one of the biggest internet platforms in the world today.
We thought the milestone would be a great opportunity to look back on how Cumbrians have used it.
It hasn’t just attracted people, but also pets. 
Our picture shows Chris and Carol Hobbs from Crosby Villa near Aspatria with their English Springer Spaniel, Jasmine, who all paid a visit to Pets at Home in 2015.
As a joke, Carol posted a Facebook message on the shop’s page as if written by Jasmine. The post went viral and Pets at Home sent a £50 voucher.

Someone else to benefit from the platform was Rayanne Whitehouse from Barrow who in 2015 entered a nationwide Goldsmiths Jewellery competition and won the top prize of a platinum one carat diamond ring. 

Facebook has often been used to highlight important issues, and in 2016, author Carol Donockley from Stanwix, Carlisle, wrote a story called Jelly Bean Little and the Rice Pudding Thieves and set up a page to raise awareness and encourage people to sign up as organ donors.
This was after her grandson, Jensen, who was born with a condition called Truncus Arteriosus (type 1) received a donor artery.

Following the Carlisle floods, Anthony Nevison, Sean and Lydia Carruthers set up a Facebook page to help uninsured victims get back on their feet, and in 2016, Andy Pink from Botcherby, Carlisle, set up a page highlighting the problems with parking at the Cumberland Infirmary.

After Ellie Tinnion and her little sister Abbie from Aspatria cut their long hair for charity, Ellie put a moving message on Facebook about how hair and confidence go together.

Marie Kettrick set up a group inviting memories of Longtown and, when questioned on internet dating, Jenny Brice said she’d met her boyfriend on Facebook.

In December 2015, Judith Bradshaw said she was sending good wishes on Facebook instead of Christmas cards.