Eddie Farwell MBE

As Co-Founder of Children’s Hospice South West with his late wife Jill, Eddie has been involved with every aspect of the Charity since its formation in 1991.  

Jill and Eddie were inspired to found the Charity following the exceptional care they received for their own two life-limited children at the world’s first children’s hospice, Helen House in Oxford. Little Bridge House, the South West’s first children’s hospice opened in 1995.

At the same time as being involved with the Charity and sharing the care of their children, Eddie was employed by Devon County Council as District Manager for Social Services in North Devon. As a senior manager he was responsible for a budget of £15m which included the management of residential homes for the elderly, children, and the mentally ill as well as fieldwork services including those prescribed by the Children Act and Mental Health Act. From 1999-2004 Eddie was employed as a strategic planner for the council and specialised in the complex arena of multi-agency service planning.

Following Jill’s death in September 2004 Eddie succeeded Jill and was appointed Chief Executive of Children’s Hospice South West in February 2005. He oversaw the opening of the charity’s second hospice, Charlton Farm in North Somerset in 2007 and spearheaded the ‘Precious Lives’ Appeal to bring the special services offered by a children’s hospice nearer to the children of Cornwall and Plymouth in the form of a third hospice, Little Harbour.

Unusually, Eddie combines the experience of being a carer of two life limited children, a fundraiser, a senior Operational Manager in Children’s Services, and a strategic planner.