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A North Somerset charity is calling for more volunteers from Weston – and its current members say it is both ‘challenging and rewarding’.

The Weston Friends Group formed back in 2003 to raise money for Children’s Hospice South West (CHSW), which has a base in Wraxall.

The group in Weston has done a lot of work for the Charlton Farm hospice, which not only provides end-of-life care for sick children, but also supports their families during their stay.

It was a gloriumptious day for the children of Constantine School on Friday who dressed up as their favourite Roald Dahl characters to celebrate the author's 100th birthday.

The school was filled with Twits, witches, Oompa-Loompas and even a not-so-giant peach, as the children pulled out all the stops to create some whoopsy-whiffling costumes, and spent all day on a special squibbling task - otherwise known as writing.

A new Children’s Hospice South West (CHSW) retail shop is set to open in Bude next month.

CHSW is to open a new retail shop in Princes Street on Friday, February 3 at 10.30am, which will be officially opened by CHSW’s co-founder and chief executive, Eddie Farwell.

The new shop will have something for everyone with a range of goods on offer, including books, clothing and accessories, as well as children’s toys and games, plus homewares and bric a brac.

Chris Judd, head of retail at CHSW, said:

Staff at Wellington-based beauty manufacturer Swallowfield have raised £1,100 for Children’s Hospice South West.

They organised a grand Christmas raffle with more than 140 prizes and a donation from the company helped to make up the total.

Shift manager Jo Luckhurst said: “The Children’s Hospice is a charity which is close to our hearts. Over the past few years instead of sending Christmas cards to each other, we bought one big card for people to write on and give a donation. This year we decided to make it bigger and better by holding a raffle, too.

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).

Throughout 2016 Children’s Hospice South West (CHSW) celebrated its 25th Anniversary since its founding by Eddie Farwell and his late wife Jill.

The year was spent looking at both what the charity has achieved over the past 25 years and looking to the future. This was brought together with a service at Exeter Cathedral back in June at which HRH The Duchess of Cornwall attended along with many families supported by CHSW and supporters past and present.

The annual Cornwall Truck Show has donated £7000 to Children’s Hospice South West (CHSW) and a further £7,000 to their other charity partner, Cornwall Air Ambulance.

Trucks come from all over Cornwall and further afield to attend the show which is held at Stithians Showground over a weekend each summer. As well as trucks on show there are also trade stands and many people visit the show each year.

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.

The generous customers of RGB Building Supplies have donated more than 250 gifts to its Christmas Present Appeal for Children’s Hospice South West (CHSW).

RGB had been asking for donations suitable for a child of any age or their parents and the gifts have now been given to the hospice to distribute to children and families.

Naomi Dymond at CHSW said: “We cannot thank the wonderful local community and RGB customers enough for this amazing collection of gifts.

When Steve Allen, Frank Fielding and Donna Venables first walked through the doors of Children’s Hospice South West (CHSW) with an idea of raising funds for CHSW’s Charlton Farm hospice we could never have predicated what would ensue.