News

A trio of stunning doll’s houses modelled on local Ashburton businesses are being auctioned in the town this month to raise money for Children’s Hospice South West (CHSW).

The doll’s houses were made by local woman Yvonne ‘Evie’ Cox, and donated to the charity’s shop in North Street, which is taking sealed bids for a silent auction until December 14.

Shop manager Oonagh McAreavy said: “Each doll’s house is designed and furnished to be one of the local businesses in Ashburton, coincidentally the three more-or-less right across the street from us!

“Quirky Bird is a retro and vintage fashion

Children’s Hospice South West is calling on companies to help sponsor one of its children’s nurses this Christmas.

The charity, which runs children’s hospices in Bristol, St Austell and Barnstaple is asking firms to pledge £1,000 towards its Sponsor a Nurse appeal and help make Christmas just that little bit more special for local families this year.

Suzanne Brown, a children’s nurse at Little Bridge House in Devon said: “By sponsoring one of our nurses, you’ll be helping us to provide special care to families whose children are not expected to live into adulthood.

“We support children and

There was a fantastic turn-out for a hot new fundraising event supporting Children’s Hospice South West (CHSW). Thirty people signed up to take part in a Firewalk at Cabot Circus and committed to raise £125 each. Collectively they smashed their fundraising and £8,935 was achieved by the participants.

Amanda Gallagher of CHSW who also took part, said: “It was an extraordinary night which saw people really face a huge mental challenge to walk over hot coals at temperatures of 1200˚F. I felt quite nervous waiting to do the walk and seeing the embers glowing in front of me. However, my feelings

Children’s Hospice South West (CHSW) is delighted to announce that alongside Ocean Housing Group as the headline sponsor for their Santas on the Run, Whirlwind Sports Community CIC and Big Box Advertising are also joining the event as sponsors.

Santas on the Run is a 2km festive fun run coming to the Eden Project on Sunday 8 th December and is one for all ages to take part in and get in the festive spirit. Sponsorship of the event from businesses means that even more money raised by those taking part can go directly to supporting families that use Little Harbour children’s hospice rather

A popular local pub in Priddy, Somerset has once again transformed itself into The Gingerbread Inn over Christmas in support of Children’s Hospice South West. Last year The Queen Victoria Inn raised over £4,600 for CHSW's Charlton Farm hospice in Wraxall, North Somerset.

Landlord, Mark Walton said: “It’s Christmas and I couldn’t think of a better cause over Christmas than our local Children’s Hospice.”

The pub has become a local attraction thanks to its innovative decorations including a snowman and tree made of glass bottles.

Mark said: “The 15ft glass bottle tree was my idea. The following

Staff and regulars at The Swan Inn in Thornbury are celebrating Christmas by taking part in Santas on the Run in support of Children’s Hospice South West (CHSW).

Landlady Sandra Davies has recruited a team of 20 so far who’ll be donning their Santa suits and making their way around the 2k route starting at Bristol Harbourside on Sunday 8 December. Sandra said: “I’m hoping more people will join us as the more the merrier! It’s for a great charity, the Santa suit is provided and it’s suitable for dogs, pushchairs and wheelchairs. We aren't running most of us will be walking!”

The 2k course

Since they began fundraising over 25 years ago, Bath Friends Group and Combe Down Friends Group have raised £200,000 for Children's Hospice South West (CHSW).

The Friends Groups are committees who get together on a regular basis to arrange events, collections and raise awareness of CHSW. They are a vital part of CHSW which needs around £10million a year to run its three hospices in North Somerset, North Devon and Cornwall.

Carole Andrews, Chair of Combe Down Friends Group, said: “I was first introduced to CHSW when I attended a coffee morning organised in my local area. After 2 or 3 years a

Four North Devon musicians are celebrating their birthdays next month with a Birthday Bonanza Concert to raise money for Children’s Hospice South West.

Steve Ruffe, Andy Knight, Mick Burke and Glenn Bower share 25 decades of music between them and will be taking to the stage at Appledore Social Club on Sunday, December 8 from 7.45pm.

The friends have been playing together in sessions and bands for many years; each has their own style, so expect anything from haunting originals to sea shanties, folk music and rock covers on the night.

As well as the live music, there will also be a silent

Young golfers from Tiverton hit winning form with a huge fundraising drive for Children’s Hospice South West.

More than 140 players took to the greens and fairways at Post Hill for the club’s Junior Captain’s Golf Day, raising more than £3,000 for the charity.

The 18-hole team event on August 22 was the highlight in teenager Joe Pike’s term as the club’s junior captain.

Visiting Little Bridge House near Barnstaple to present the fundraising cheque, Joe said he decided to support the charity after having previously had a tour of the children’s hospice as a member of the Withleigh Young Farmers’

On September 14 John Worner from Bower Hinton, Martock, celebrated his 80th birthday by taking part in a Wing Walk for Children’s Hospice South West (CHSW).

A Wing Walk involves being strapped in a seat on the wings of a flying vintage aeroplane. It’s not for the fainthearted as the plane can reach speeds of between 80-100mph. John said he had been keen to take part in the experience for a while, although the first attempt had to be cancelled due to problems with the plane, luckily on the second attempt the weather conditions were perfect for the flight. He said: “I would do it again if I had