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70-Year-Old Veteran Prepares for 24-Hour Stay in World’s Most Haunted Prison to Raise Funds for Children’s Hospice South West

10 April 2025 CHSW

On Thursday 18 April, 70-year-old veteran Derek Newman from Bath will embark on a chilling and courageous 24-hour stay inside one of the world’s most haunted prisons.

Armed with nothing more than a sleeping bag and a single candle, Derek will spend the night alone in the notoriously haunted 17th-century HM Prison Shepton Mallet. Derek will be confronting the unknown to raise vital funds for Children’s Hospice South West (CHSW).

Having served 20 years in security in the RAF and military, Derek is no stranger to high-pressure environments. But even he admits this challenge will test him in a new

Isles of Scilly Travel gift 2 complimentary ferry tickets to charity

03 April 2025 CHSW

Isles of Scilly Travel have supported Children’s Hospice South West (CHSW) by gifting 2 complimentary return tickets on their passenger ferry Scillonian III.

The travel company’s generosity was sparked due to the previous tickets issued unexpectedly becoming void.

The tickets were won at a CHSW charity golf day last year at Carlyon Bay Golf Club. The event featured an auction, with the star prize being a generously donated 7-night stay at Orchard Barn on St Mary’s.

At the time, CHSW’S volunteering Friends Group on the island secured 2 adult return tickets from Harland and Wolff to create a

Portishead Cycling Club and Clevedon Riders Pedal Towards a Global Goal in Charity Challenge for local children’s hospice

03 April 2025 CHSW

Members of Portishead Cycling Club (PCC) and Clevedon and District Riding Club are gearing up for their latest fundraising endeavour, cycling towards a shared goal to raise vital funds for Children’s Hospice South West (CHSW). Starting on Monday 3 February, three dedicated teams will race to complete an impressive 40,000km – the equivalent of a lap around the globe.

This challenge, organised by Portishead Cycling Club, is the latest in a series of charity events aimed at supporting a range of good causes. Since April 2020, PCC has raised over £25,000 for various charities, including the

Superstar Seven-Year-Old Runs a Mile a Day, Raising £500 for Children's Hospice South West

03 April 2025 CHSW

Seven-year-old Mabel Mackay from Burnham on Sea in Somerset has wowed her community by running a mile every day in March, raising over £500 for Children's Hospice South West (CHSW).

After taking part in her local 6-mile Santa Run across the muddy Mendips in December, hosted by the Queen Victoria Pub in Priddy, Mabel was inspired to take on this incredible challenge in support of Charlton Farm, her local children’s hospice in Wraxall.

Mabel embraced her daily runs, enjoying the spring sunshine and even joined local park runs on weekends to mix up the route. Despite catching a bug, Mabel stayed

Eddie Farwell, Co-Founder and retiring CEO of Children’s Hospice South West has died

28 March 2025 CHSW

Update: 10/04/2025

Memorial Service for Eddie

Over the coming months Children’s Hospice South West, with Lizzy, Eddie's daughter, will be organising a Memorial Service. This will be an opportunity for everyone to celebrate Eddie's life and all he has done for so many. We will share details of this in due course.

An inspirational leader and advocate for children’s hospice care, has died. Children's Hospice South West (CHSW) has confirmed that Co-Founder and retiring CEO, Eddie Farwell lost his battle with Motor Neurone Disease on the evening of 27 March 2025.

Eddie announced his plans to

Team Betty to take on children’s hospice cycle event

18 March 2025 CHSW

Fred Thomas AKA ‘Betty Stogs’, is once again taking on Children’s Hospice South West’s (CHSW) 3 day cycle event, Ride for Precious Lives as a part of his Charity of the year fundraising.

The 212-mile cycle event is taking place 11 to 13 July 2025 and will see 120 cyclists pedal from Little Harbour hospice in St Austell, to Charlton Farm hospice in North Somerset, via Little Bridge Hospice in Barnstaple.

Fred will be returning to the event for the 5th year alongside 11 teammates making up ‘Team Betty’ who last year raised a staggering £60,000 collectively towards the record breaking £330,000

The Plantforce pledge to Children's Hospice South West

18 March 2025 Plantforce

Plantforce, a leading provider of plant hire, is excited to announce its partnership with Children’s Hospice South West (CHSW) as its official charity partner for 2025. This collaboration aims to raise awareness and support for the vital services that CHSW provides to babies, children and young people with life-limiting conditions and their families across the South West.

CHSW has been a vital source of care and support for families since its inception over 30 years ago. The charity offers expert medical care in a home from home environment at its three hospices. Everyday its team strives to

Playing bridge raises £800 for local children’s hospice

17 March 2025 CHSW

Children’s Hospice South West’s (CHSW) Tavistock Friends Group held their annual Bridge Afternoon which raised £800 for the charity.

44 players took part on Sunday 2 March, which was the thirteenth, and final, competition organised by the group.

Sustained by a delicious tea prepared by the members of the Friends Group, they engaged in fierce but friendly competition to raise money for CHSW’s Little Harbour hospice in St Austell.

Little Harbour supports over 130 families from across Cornwall and Plymouth through day and stay visits, as well as home visits and virtual support. It costs around

Ruth's big CHSW Lottery win

12 March 2025 CHSW Lottery

Ruth Bray from Lincoln won Children’s Hospice South West’s (CHSW) lottery rollover of £5,200 in November.

She told us about her win and what she plans to do with it.

“I was actually in the car travelling to a hospital appointment when I got the call. I didn’t recognise the number, and it was quite the surprise when I was told I had won the money”, said Ruth.

“I am a retired nurse at 50 years, so I decided I would give some of the money to my son and daughter who needed some help with their mortgages.

I’m also going to use some of it for me and my husband to go on holiday. He has just come out

Squarebird Celebrates 10 Years in Business with Ambitious Fundraising Challenge for Children's Hospice South West

12 March 2025 CHSW

Squarebird, the innovative web design and digital marketing agency based in Nailsea, Bristol, is thrilled to announce its charity partnership for 2025 with Children's Hospice South West (CHSW). To mark a decade of success, Squarebird has set an inspiring goal to raise £10,000 for the local children’s hospice, committing to complete 10 exciting challenges in celebration of their 10th anniversary.

The agency will kick off their fundraising efforts with a series of events, including an anniversary party in May and a company-wide Three Peaks Challenge in September. These initiatives will