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AnnaLaura Smith-Gilpin, her partner and sons are almost halfway through their challenge of walking 201km in March, raising money for Children’s Hospice South West (CHSW).

The walk will be a huge challenge for Annalaura’s son Nicholas, age 6 as he has a variety of conditions, including hypoplastic left heart syndrome, which means his life-expectancy is short and every day is a challenge.

The family receives support from CHSW’s Charlton Farm in Wraxall and has done for around four years. Due to the pandemic, they have been unable to visit the hospice, although the care team have been keeping

Fresh spring air and a sturdy pair of walking shoes are helping a retired Tiverton primary school teacher to take on a special charity walking challenge this month.

Liz Guppy from East Worlington is marching through March in a bid to raise as much money as she can for Children’s Hospice South West (CHSW).

Liz, 70, has challenged herself to walk 100 miles – a minimum of four miles every day for 25 consecutive days – on local paths and countryside lanes around her home.

It is particularly challenging for Liz as 10 years ago, she was diagnosed with chronic pain condition fibromyalgia, which

Karen Lane from Trewoon near St Austell has completed her 38 day challenge: Stricly Come Biking, all in the name of charity.

For 38 consecutive days Karen donned a different ballgown and cycled up to 35 miles each day on her static bike. The challenge sparked great support from Karen’s friends, family and dance students from The Dance Factory who have all helped her raise over £1400 for Children’s Hospice South West.

Karen kept her supporters updated with her progress via social media each day proving her vast array of ball gowns, high heels and her serious dedication to pedalling a total of

Exeter Chiefs players delighted Children's Hospice South West (CHSW) children and families by holding a virtual story time session.

Players Jack Maunder, Joe Simmonds and Tom O'Flaherty joined 13 families at home via video call, as well as care teams at the charity’s three children’s hospices, for a special reading of Jack’s motivational new children's book, Bounce Back Jack!

The sports stars also spent time chatting to families about their own personal experiences of times when they have overcome setbacks and shown resilience.

A highlight of the session was Joe Simmonds giving a rousing pep

Martin Abrahams from Thornbury is taking on a year-long challenge to mark the 30th anniversary of Children’s Hospice South West (CHSW).

Martin and his family are supported by CHSW’s Charlton Farm hospice and have been since their youngest daughter, Jessica, died in January 2017, aged 6.

Martin said: “The care and compassion we experienced during the worst time in our lives was priceless. Jessica lost a long battle with leukaemia and Charlton Farm was there for my wife, Melissa, our eldest daughter, Zoe and myself.”

Charlton Farm, located in North Somerset, offers respite, palliative, end of

Peter Colley from Nailsea wanted to do something to raise funds for Children’s Hospice South West (CHSW) during the pandemic and decided he would have a sponsored ‘isolation buzz cut’.

Peter, age 12, said: “All charities, including CHSW, have suffered due to Covid-19 and the cancelling of events. I wanted to raise money for them because it means a lot to our family.”

So far Peter has raised £320 for CHSW, which provides respite, emergency, end-of-life and bereavement care and support for the whole family. It has adapted its care during the pandemic to ensure Covid-safe support wherever and

British Corner Shop has announced Children’s Hospice South West (CHSW) as its charity of the year.

The online grocery store for British expats around the world, which is based in Yate, South Gloucestershire, has chosen to support CHSW in 2021, the charity’s 30th anniversary year.
Kimberley Dorman, Content Marketing Manager at British Corner Shop, said: “We chose CHSW because they hold a special place in our heart. They are such a proactive charity and offer so many events and engaging ways to help fundraise. Seeing as it’s CHSW’s 30th anniversary, we thought there was no better time to get

John Barkle, age 86 from Wells in Somerset has written his first book called ‘Memories of a Village Grocer’ and it has been met with high praise.

The book recounts John’s days as a young boy in Ditcheat, his years in the shops in Pilton and Wells, his amateur dramatics in Croscombe, to his retirement and beyond. It’s been described as ‘beautifully written, full of anecdotes and village characters; a must read for anyone who remembers shopping in Barkles or who loves village life’.

To his delight, John’s first print run of 150 sold out quickly and another 250 are currently being printed.

The

Swiss Valley Rangers Football Club based in Clevedon, North Somerset, has decided to set its members a huge physical challenge whilst encouraging them to raise funds for local charity, Children’s Hospice South West (CHSW).

Each team that takes part will collectively attempt to rack up enough kilometres through walking, running, or biking, to visit each of the UEFA Euro 20/21 host cities in sequence. This amounts to 11,375km in total

Each team that takes part will collectively attempt to rack up enough kilometres through walking, running, or biking, to visit each of the UEFA Euro 20/21 host

Keen Plymouth runner and fundraiser Leesa Pethick is organising a virtual 10k event to raise vital funds for Children’s Hospice South West (CHSW) in it’s 30th anniversary year.

Leesa is encouraging people to complete 10k however they wish; running, hopping, skipping, walking, even paddle boarding between 7 – 21 March 2021. There is a £7 entry fee for the event, everyone taking part will receive a celebratory medal and certificate after completing their 10k and all profits will be donated to CHSW.

Leesa was inspired to fundraise for the local children’s hospice charity after the death of her