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A bereaved dad from North Tawton will be joining 45,000 people running the first ever ‘virtual’ London Marathon next month.

Luke Compton had been gearing up to take on his second London Marathon in April but the event was postponed and finally cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Instead, he’ll be taking on the 40th edition of the world-famous race in his own way on October 4 – by running from his son Kaleb’s grave in North Tawton to Little Bridge House in Fremington, North Devon.

Luke, 31, said his ‘world fell apart’ the day 18-month-old Kaleb died in June 2015, and that running has

Five-year old Elena Smart from Portishead cycled 100km during August and raised over £1,200 for Children’s Hospice South West (CHSW).

Having learnt to ride a two-wheeled bike during lockdown, Elena wanted to set herself a challenge and raise money for her local children’s hospice, CHSW’s Charlton Farm in Wraxall. Elena clocked up the impressive distance riding her bike around Leigh Woods and locations in her hometown such as the Marina, Merlin Park, the Lake Grounds and the Nature Reserve, which was her favourite place to cycle.

Dad, Gavin, said: “Proud is an understatement! I have loved

Sidmouth’s new Children’s Hospice South West charity shop is looking for volunteers to help following a successful opening earlier this month.

The shop in Fore Street opened its doors for the first time on August 12 and is appealing for help from the local community following a busy first few weeks.

Manager Emma-Louise Lee said she was delighted that people in Sidmouth were supporting the new shop, which has opened in the former New Look shop.

“Trade has been building gradually and we have had some fantastic donations, but if anyone is able to spare a few hours a week, short-term or long term

Emillie Sabellano Warde aged 5 from Puriton Village, along with friend Evie Ives, were very busy this August when their play date turned into a fundraising venture for Charlton Farm, her local children’s hospice based in Wraxall.

They spent time gathering all the apples from Emillie’s apple tree to set up an honesty shop, which ran from Tuesday 11th August until Thursday 13th August.

Locals were invited to come along to their shop and make a donation to Children’s Hospice South West (CHSW) which, along with Charlton Farm, operates two other hospices in the South West.

Kylie Gallagher, Co

Children’s Hospice South West is asking people to show off their gardens in aid of the charity this September.

Supporters who have spent time getting green-fingered during lockdown are being urged to hold an open garden event between September 12-20 to raise vital funds for local children and families who use the Little Bridge House children’s Hospice in North Devon.

CHSW community fundraiser Dominic Scotting said: “For many of us, our gardens have been a sanctuary throughout the Coronavirus pandemic and lockdown. So if you’ve spent time making your garden into a beautiful haven, why not

Members of the Tamar Restoration and Engineering Club, based in the Tamar Valley, have recently handed over a donation of £1000 to Children’s Hospice South West (CHSW) following the completion of the restoration of a tractor.

The Massy Ferguson 35X Multipower was purchased in 1964 and the idea to restore it came about when the tractor was inherited by Adrian Glassborow from Tavistock. Adrian approached Roger Wilcocks and the Tamar Restoration and Engineering Club and members embraced the opportunity to help. Restoring it to full working order has taken six months.

The Club was set up four

National Friendly are the sole and proud sponsor of the very first virtual Memories by Moonlight fundraising event supporting their charity partner, Children’s Hospice South West (CHSW).

PR & Corporate Partnerships Executive, Kurtis Reece from National Friendly said: “National Friendly is a people-led organisation, helping to prepare for life’s contingencies for over 150 years, we have always been proactive in supporting our members and those within our community.

“The past few months have been wrought with challenges due to the impact of Covid-19, therefore we want to help innovate and

Kelly House in Kelly, Lifton has opened its gardens this Summer and is providing the opportunity to enjoy a socially distanced afternoon tea, which will also raise funds to support a local children’s charity.

The Picnic Teas, consisting of a savoury cream tea, sandwiches and homemade cakes, will be offered in the picturesque gardens of Kelly House on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 2pm to 4.30pm through to September. Visitors will be asked to pre-book via Kelly House’s website and it will cost £10 per person, £2.50 of which will be donated to Children’s Hospice South West (CHSW).

Kelly

44 year old Zoe Harris from Menheniot has used lockdown as an opportunity to rediscover her love for sport and the outdoors while also raising vital funds for an important local charity.

Throughout May Zoe challenged herself to walk 100 miles, embracing the chance to get outdoors she managed to clock up an impressive 205 miles by the end of the month. This spurred her on to her next challenge; cycling 1084 miles in 12 weeks, the equivalent distance of Lands End to John O’Groats.

Starting with a 3.5 mile bike ride at 5am before work on 1st June Zoe returned home aching and wondering how

This Friday (July 31) Jack Buncombe, originally from Weston-super-Mare, will be running his 365th consecutive 5k!

Jack said: “I've ran every day from August 1st 2019 for a year - including on birthdays, Christmas, after nights out, etc. Some days it even has been more than 5km because I was also training for some long-distance events. My total is currently 1,367 miles.”

Jack has taken on this extraordinary challenge in memory of his sister Rosie and to raise funds for Children’s Hospice South West (CHSW).

CHSW is a fantastic and critical charity. Not only did they provide outstanding end-of