News

Two ex-RAF servicemen in their 90s took to the skies yesterday (July 10) to raise money for Children’s Hospice South West and Macmillan Cancer Support.

Ray Hales, 94 from Barnstaple completed a wing-walk, and Arthur Bennett, 90, also from Barnstaple, did a skydive at Dunkeswell Airfield near Honiton.

The daredevil friends and former Western Power Distribution (SWEB) colleagues were blessed with blue skies and perfect flying conditions for the spectacular flying feats that they hope will raise £10,000 between the two charities.

First up, it was chocks away for Ray, who climbed onto the wings

Prideaux Place gardens near Padstow will be throwing open it’s gates on Sunday 24 July to help raise vital funds for Children’s Hospice South West (CHSW).

On the day visitors will be able to enjoy the beautiful grounds of Prideaux Place overlooking the Camel Estuary. There are shady woodland walks as well as the opportunity to feed deer in the ancient deer park, take part in a teddy bear hunt, visit the tea room and all while enjoying the landscaped grounds of the estate.

The gardens will be open from 11am – 5pm and dogs on leads are welcome.

Entry on the day will cost £5 for adults, £2 for

A team from Weir Quay boatyard were successful in winning the Smeaton trophy at this year's Eddystone Charity Sailing Pursuit leading to over £1500 donated to Children’s Hospice South West (CHSW).

The event took place on Saturday 18 June and saw 70 yachts battle it out for prize money for their chosen charities. Boats tackled the 26 mile off shore course from Plymouth Sound and back again and £110,000 was raised for over 30 different charities.

As first time entrants into the event, winning the Smeaton Trophy was a fantastic achievement for the Weir Quay team in their yacht Kraken and a great

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 a restoration project.

The group was tasked with restoring a 1958 Nuffield DM4 tractor by a local farmer which was in need of extensive restoration to get back to full working order. The group spent hours working on the vehicle, fitting it with new rear wings, tyres, fuel pump, silencer and various other parts as well as treating it to a fresh coat of paint to restore it to its original colour scheme

A Bristol man will be going from couch to ultra-marathon when he takes on a gruelling charity challenge in memory of his little sister next week.

Jake Humphries, 29, from Mangotsfield, dusted off his running shoes in February after a taking a break from the sport during the pandemic.

But five months later, on July 9, he’ll be taking on the Race to the Stones, a 100km section of the ancient Ridgeway National Trail, with 3,704 ft elevation that will take him across Berkshire and Wiltshire in just one day.

The woodland, riverside and ridge trail is billed as ‘the UK’s favourite ultra-marathon

Young musicians from Bideford College are holding a special concert next week to raise money for Children’s Hospice South West (CHSW).

Students aged 11-17 will be taking to the stage at the college’s Devon Hall on Thursday night (July 7), with 11 different acts set to showcase a range of musical talent at the school.

The concert will feature bands, choirs and solo acts covering a range of material, from original compositions to musical theatre numbers, as well as rock songs by the likes of Pixies, the Arctic Monkeys and Florence and the Machine.

It has been organised by three members of CHSW’s

The Queen’s Head in St Stephen near St Austell truly got into the Jubilee spirit over the Bank Holiday weekend and raised £1236.50 for a worthy, local cause in the process.

The pub organised a range of activities over the weekend which were all aimed at not only bringing the community together and celebrating the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee but also raising vital funds for Children’s Hospice South West (CHSW).

Landlady Kerry Trevorrow said; “When organising our Jubilee weekend we decided to raise money for CHSW as it is an amazing charity and you never know when you might need them. Without the

Camborne funny man and running enthusiast Steve Heller has taken on his latest running challenge all in the name of Children’s Hospice South West (CHSW).

Steve Heller, best known for his facebook page ‘Cornish News’ sharing memes and jokes about Cornish life and visitors to the county, is also a keen runner and on 1 June completed a 32 mile ultramarathon from Camborne to St Ives and back, raising £2530 for CHSW. This brings Steve’s fundraising total for the charity to an impressive £10,300.

It wasn’t all plain sailing for Steve though as he tripped and fell at mile 24, leaving him 8 miles

North Devon is set to host an exciting public art sculpture trail this year designed to raise vital funds and awareness for Children’s Hospice South West (CHSW).

The charity, which runs three children’s hospices, including Little Bridge House in Fremington near Barnstaple, has joined forces with The Art of Fundraising to create a Bear Hunt art trail that will run throughout September and October.

Some of the region’s best-known local artists are currently decorating 25 individual five-foot-tall bears that will form a series of mini trails in around Barnstaple, Bideford, Torrington, Ilfracombe

Her Royal Highness, The Duchess of Cambridge has sent a personal message of support for Children’s Hospice Week 2022, asking everyone to join her in celebrating the extraordinary work the UK’s 54 children’s hospices do for children and young people with life-limiting conditions, helping families make the most of their lives together, no matter how short. The Duchess is Royal Patron of East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH).

Children's Hospice South West (CHSW) is one of the charities joining The Duchess in marking Children's Hospice Week. CHSW is delighted that The Duchess has sent a special