News

Eddie Farwell, Co-Founder and Chief Executive of Children’s Hospice South West (CHSW), has announced his plans to retire within the next year.

After founding the charity with his late wife Jill in 1991, and following 20 years as Chief Executive, Eddie has decided that now is the right time to hand over the reins.

“It’s not been an easy decision” explains Eddie.

“This charity was born out of wanting to provide something to families in the South West where they could feel the same love, care and support that we had experienced for our family without having to travel outside of the region.

“Wha

A man is to take on a mammoth challenge of cycling from the Isle of Man to Inverness to raise money for the charity which cared for his friend’s son.

Andrew Corey, 43, from Cheltenham, is taking part in the Pan Celtic Race 2024 to raise money for Children’s Hospice South West (CHSW)

Andrew, a cardiac physiologist, will cycle solo the 1800 kilometres and is hoping to complete the challenge in just 10 days.

During his challenge, in which he plans to cover around 170 kilometres each day, Andrew will wild camp as well as staying in guest houses and B&B’s along the way.

He will do the challenge

A former choirboy who re-started his singing career as a pensioner has been hitting all the right notes – raising thousands of pounds for Children’s Hospice South West.

Ken Trowbridge, 74, started his singing career in a choir at a congregational church in Poole in Dorset at the tender age of 12.

After performing in the choir during his teenage years, he decided, aged 19, to join a band as a lead singer for 3 years.

“My audition to be in the band was on a Sunday evening,” said Ken

“The venue on Poole Quay was just a few hundred yards from the church so I quickly had to finish with the choir

A group of students from a Bristol school went walking each week after class to raise money for a children’s charity.

Ashton Park School student Lilly and fellow students Ada and Ella did a sponsored walk to raise money for Children’s Hospice South West (CHSW)

The trio set out to walk for an hour after school each Monday around Ashton Court and Bristol Harbourside over 3 months - clocking up an amazing £831 for the charity.

The students took on the challenge as part of the volunteering section of their Bronze Duke of Edinburgh award.

Year 9 student Lilly said: “For the volunteering section of

A self-confessed ‘Swiftie’ has donated a ‘golden ticket’ to one of the star’s sell out arena shows to a children’s hospice – and fans have a chance to win it.

The music lover, who lives in Cornwall, has given the ticket for Taylor Swift’s The Era’s Tour at Edinburgh’s BT Murrayfield Stadium on 8 June, to Children’s Hospice South West ( CHSW). The donor, who wants to remain anonymous, was prompted to donate the single ticket after being inspired by the work of the charity.

The fan, who last saw Taylor perform live in 2012, was delighted after initially managing to secure a sought-after ticket

An employee-owned dental community interest company with practices across the county has raised £25,365 for Children’s Hospice South West (CHSW).

The Smile Together team chose to raise money for Little Harbour, CHSW’s hospice in Porthpean, St Austell, as their Charity of the Year partnership.

Little Harbour, CHSW’s ‘hospice by the sea’ has everything a sick child and their family needs to make their stay as comfortable and enjoyable as possible, with a fully equipped sensory room, hydrotherapy pool and soft play area. It costs around £3 million a year to keep the hospice running.

Nick

When Josselin and her family visit CHSW’s Charlton Farm hospice they have a very special 4-legged visitor by their side.

Stormzy, the labrador retriever cross, is a constant at the side of Josselin, helping and supporting her every day.

5-year-old Stormzy, a ‘Buddy’ dog, initially came from Bristol Guide Dogs South West, getting his training at Redbridge Guide Dog School.

After passing his training with flying colours he went to live with a visually impaired man in Somerset.

When the man fell poorly, Stormzy was found a new role – with Josselin, 18, her brother Dalton, 12, and mum Karen at

A talented youngster has seen her artistic talents featured on a leading supermarket’s reusable bag.

Evie Teixeira's colourful picture of Together for Short Lives’ butterfly logo was chosen to appear on a reusable bag for the supermarket Morrisons as part of a partnership with the children’s palliative care charity.

The design has been printed on thousands of bags, with 20 percent of the money raised from the sale of each shopping bag going to Together for Short Lives and children’s hospices.

Evie, 11, painted the design while staying at Children’s Hospice South West’s Charlton Farm in Wraxall

A thrill-seeking grandfather is taking on the challenge of driving high performance cars at 'breakneck speeds' to raise money for a children’s hospice he has supported for over three decades.

Pete Ridler is preparing to buckle up for his 'Fast Car Challenge', getting behind the wheel of a series of high performing motors at Thruxton Race Circuit in June to raise money for Children's Hospice South West (CHSW).

Pete’s son Shawn threw down the gauntlet and set his dad, 77, the challenge which will see him drive a Porche Sports Saloon, a V8 Ford Mustang and a single seat racing car.

The challenge

It started as a small Christmas lights display at the home of Bridgwater couple Gill Brown and Stu Thorne.

But what began as a festive treat for family and friends was the catalyst for the formation of a dedicated group of volunteers all wanting to raise money for a good cause.

And whereas the Bridgwater Friends Group of Children’s Hospice South West (CHSW) may have started from humble beginnings, over the last 18 years the band of determined volunteers has raised more than £406,000 for the charity.

Gill, who founded the group and turns 80 this year, has always been a keen fundraiser.

During a