News

People in North Devon are being invited to remember someone they love this Christmas, while supporting the vital work of the region’s two hospice charities.

For 24 years, the annual Light Up a Life appeal has given people the chance to come together and light a candle in memory of loved ones at a series of special church services in support of North Devon Hospice (NDH) in Barnstaple, and Children’s Hospice South West (CHSW) in Fremington.

Children’s Hospice South West (CHSW) is excited to announce that it will be working in partnership with Whirlwind Sports for its Santas on the Run goes Freestyle FREE virtual event this December.

Professional Apprenticeships, based in Filwood Green Business Park in Bristol is partnering with Children’s Hospice South West (CHSW) making a donation for every successful placement of an apprentice before the end of the year.  

The #1894Challenge will see members of the Robins backroom team attempt to clock up 1,894 kilometres between them before December 18th via exercise compliant with Public Health guidance on COVID-19. 

All proceeds from the sponsored challenge, recorded via fitness app STRAVA, will go to Children’s Hospice South West (CHSW) Charlton Farm, which provides the highest level of care, clinical expertise and enrichment opportunities for children with life-limiting conditions and their families.

Volunteers in North Devon helping to distribute vital PPE equipment to hospices across the South West have been given a helping hand by a local removal firm.

Essential PPE supplies, including face masks and shields, hand gel, aprons and clinical waste bags are delivered to Children’s Hospice South West’s Little Bridge House children’s hospice in Fremington, where it is processed, repackaged and sent to 10 other adult and children’s hospices, including North Devon Hospice in Barnstaple

Although new to running, John Taylor from Henbury in Bristol is attempting to cover 10 kilometres a week for 10 weeks in support of Children’s Hospice South West (CHSW).

Children’s Hospice South West’s (CHSW) Memories by Moonlight virtual event has raised £26,000 for the charity that has seen a considerable drop in income due to the pandemic.

Memories by Moonlight was sponsored by National Friendly and was made into a regional, virtual event when the physical event usually held as a memory walk in Falmouth, Cornwall had to be cancelled this year. 

A young boy from Plymouth who died last year has inspired incredible fundraising in his local community which has raised over £4000 for a local charity. 

Paul and Renate O’Donnell have kicked off their annual Woodnthings Christmas Fayre at their home in Cleeve, North Somerset. Running until 20 December, the couple have adapted the festive extravaganza in line with government guidelines and viewings will be by appointment only.

Bodmin based Johnny Hesnan recently completed a 55 mile ultra-marathon and has raised over £3000 to be donated to two local causes.

Johnny had originally signed up to take part in the Coast to Coast ultra-marathon which would have seen him run 63 miles from Dawlish to Minehead in July. Sadly due to Covid this event was postponed. Johnny’s second race option was also then cancelled leaving him with the tough decision of whether to wait until next year to take on one of these events or to put his training into practice and create his own route, which is exactly what he did.