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Many people will remember the popular local orienteering night walk, Startrek, which was started in 1992 by the Ilfracombe Rotary and ran for 25 years raising vital funds for local charities including Children’s Hospice South West (CHSW). In that time £225,989.43 was raised for CHSW alone.

John Stainer, past President of Ilfracombe Rotary, who was involved with Startrek from the very beginning, shares how the idea started:

The idea for Startrek started in 1990 when a small group of our club members attended a similar fundraising event. They came away enthused and discussed and expanded the idea of holding a similar, but much larger, event themselves to raise money for local charities. After a great deal of discussion with members and a huge amount of organising, Startrek was born in March 1992.

The money raised by Ilfracombe Rotary and donated to CHSW has helped to support hundreds of families across the South West who have a child with a life-limiting condition. The services offered to families include hospice days and hospice stays, support for siblings, emergency care, end of life care and bereavement support. Now, as Little Bridge House marks it’s 30th anniversary, Ilfracombe Rotary have pledged to continue to support their local children’s hospice.

Pam Cox, current President of Ilfracombe Rotary Club, explains why they have supported CHSW for the past 30 years and will continue into the future:

One of Rotary International's areas of focus is maternal and child health and "making the most of short and precious lives across the South West" fits in comfortably with the ethos of Rotary. We've had a long, supportive and friendly association with Little Bridge House and as they move forward, we will be alongside them supporting the Young Ambassador programme and ensuring that they can continue to provide a home from home for all in their care.

Ilfracombe Rotary are continuing to support their local children’s hospice, Little Bridge House, in many ways from donating money to buy items that the hospice needs to supporting their Young Ambassador scheme where they helped at the Young Ambassador training days recently, giving feedback to the students on their presentations.   

Michelle McQuaid, member of the Care Team at Little Bridge House, said: 

We are so grateful for all of the support that Ilfracombe Rotary has given to Children’s Hospice South West over the years. Even though Star Trek has now finished, they continue to support us in many other ways. Their current fundraising efforts have helped us purchase a split screen baby monitor, silent disco headsets for our teenage weekends, as well as a bingo machine which is used weekly!  They have also donated seeds for our wildflower garden to enhance the outdoor space at Little Bridge House for our families to enjoy and make precious memories together. From all of us at Children’s Hospice South West, thank you.