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January can be a tough month for everyone but for families that are supported by Children’s Hospice South West (CHSW) it can symbolise the start of another year of uncertainty, knowing that they need to make the most of the time they have with their child.

To raise funds to support the families using its three children's hospices Little Bridge House in Barnstaple, Charlton Farm near Bristol and Little Harbour in St Austell, CHSW have got a range of different challenges supporters can take on throughout 2018 to help fundraise for vital donations needed.

If doing a skydive is something that has

Children’s Hospice South West (CHSW) welcomed over 600 Santas to the Eden Project on Sunday 3 rd December to take part in its annual Santas on the Run event which last year raised £20,000 for the local children’s charity.

Santas on the Run was a 2km sponsored fun run which all ages took part in and was being generously sponsored by Ocean Housing Group meaning more money raised by those taking part will go straight to the charity which hopes to raise around £20,000 once again this year.

There were two runs throughout the day which saw families, work colleagues and friends all dressed as Santa

The North Devon Gazette’s much-loved light Up a Life appeal was launched to an audience of thousands this year.

It was marked with the switch-on of a special illuminated star in Barnstaple Square during the town’s Christmas lights celebrations on Sunday.

Now in its 21st year, the appeal has become a Christmas tradition to enable people to remember a loved one and help raise money for North Devon Hospice and Children’s Hospice South West.

The charities host a series of services of remembrance across North Devon through December.

The star in the Square has been joined by stars at both hospices

The Mendip Friends’ Group has been supporting Children’s Hospice South West (CHSW) for well over a decade and was deeply involved in the Babe Appeal – the campaign to raise funds to build CHSW’s Charlton Farm children’s hospice in North Somerset.

Charlton Farm is the second of three hospices to be built by CHSW and is celebrating 10 years since it opened its doors to families in North and Mid Somerset. CHSW looks after children from the point of diagnosis and offers short breaks for the whole family, helping them to make the most of every moment with their children, often over many years and

Trevor McCurdie first started the idea of Ride for Precious Lives ten years ago. He shares with us his journey in creating this special event.

‘I was invited to an open evening at Charlton Farm shortly before it opened in 2007. It really struck me how much help families need if they had a child with a life limiting condition, and the lack of government funding for children’s hospices shocked me. I put a note in the back of my head to try and do something to help if I ever got the chance.

About a year later I had just started to cycle after recovering from an injury, and so the idea of a

Wise Employment in Truro is embarking on a whole year of celebrations and charity fundraising to mark their 25th anniversary and have linked up with the Children’s Hospice South West (CHSW).

The first company-wide challenge is to raise £2500 by cycling 2500 miles across the branch network. The team at Truro will kick off this challenge on Monday, January 16, at the Truro branch. Client companies, temporary workforce and candidates are being encouraged to come in and take part in the pedal challenge. You can visit the offices just to help by pedalling or enter the “Fastest Mile Challenge."

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It will be a very special moment for 68-year-old Rick Dean when the day of the 2017 Vitality Bath Half Marathon finally arrives, as he’ll be running the race in memory of his son Kierran, who would have turned 21 in June.

It will also be the last race for Rick who has spent the last nine years tirelessly fundraising for Children’s Hospice South West, the charity who provided a lifeline for him and his wife when they lost Kierran in 2003.

“I couldn’t tell you how much I have raised over the years for Children’s Hospice South West,” admitted Rick.

“Since I became a registered fundraiser in 2008

Royal Patron of Children’s Hospice South West HRH The Duchess of Cornwall, attended a Service of Thanksgiving in celebration of our 25th Anniversary, held at Exeter Cathedral on Tuesday 19 July.

The special service was in honour of all those who have contributed to the charity over its 25 years, with over 700 people in attendance.

As guest of honour, The Duchess was invited to light candles in remembrance of those children we have cared for in the past and as a dedication to the continuing support the hospice provides to children and families across the South West.

The Patronage of HRH The

A record number of cyclists have powered through North Devon on their way to raising nearly £100,000 for Children's Hospice South West.

Taking place across three day and through three counties, Ride for Precious Lives sees cyclists from across the country peddle the 205 miles between each of the region's three children's hospices.

Starting in St Austell, the group set off on Friday as they made their way to North Devon, finishing the day in Bideford. The second day of peddling started at the children's hospice's base at Little Bridge House in Fremington, where they started the two-day journey