Charities

Let there be light! Exeter Scientists urging us to Race for Life

This group of researchers from Devon are leading the way in transforming how cancers are detected and treated by harnessing the power of light.

The team, who receive funding through Cancer Research UK, are encouraging people to take part in Race for Life this summer and help fund more life-saving research.

Their innovative use of Raman Spectroscopy, which is based upon the interaction of light with the chemical bonds within a material, is forging a better understanding of treating cancers earlier.

Some of their work centres on patients with oesophageal cancer. A...

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Homeless man with dog

"They came along and lifted me up". St Petrock’s Christmas Appeal 2023 launches

Four people who are rebuilding their lives after being homeless feature in a moving Exeter homelessness charity’s Christmas fundraising campaign.

The two-minute film focuses on the question of how it feels to be homeless, especially at Christmas. “They came along and lifted me up” is one of the many moving statements made in the video, that was launched across social and traditional media on Thursday morning (23 November).

The numbers of people sleeping rough in Exeter remain critically high

Alfie, who lived on the streets for eight years after growing up in the...

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Celebrating the culinary achievement of newbie cooks at the charity's cookery school

First newbie cooks ‘graduate’ from Westbank’s Community Cookery School

Westbank Community Health and Care is celebrating the first cohort of newbie cooks to have completed Foundation Courses in basic kitchen skills at the charity’s recently opened Community Cookery School.

The purpose-built teaching facility at Exminster, near Exeter, opened its doors to beginner cooks this autumn, offering free eight-week workshops to people of all ages who want to learn how to cook simple, nutritious, affordable meals.

A well-attended launch party allowed guests, including sponsors, to see the bespoke teaching kitchen in use. The event marked the completion...

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Dunelm calls on Exeter customers to help deliver joy to those who are less fortunate this Christmas  

After delivering hundreds of gifts donated by kind customers last Christmas, Dunelm, the Home of Homes, is once again launching its community-focused festive campaign, Delivering Joy, in Exeter.

Now in its fourth year, the campaign aims to help people across the UK that may not otherwise receive a gift to open on Christmas Day.

The campaign is simple – customers can collect a tag from their nearest Dunelm store with a gift request from a local good cause, including schools, care homes, refuges, and charities. Customers are asked to return the tag, attached to a gift...

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woman wearing Santa hat and orange T-shirt with gifts standing in front of a Christmas tree

Exeter Community Initiatives and Exeter City Football Club Supporters’ Trust launch Secret Santa appeal

Exeter Community Initiatives (ECI) and Exeter City Football Club Supporters’ Trust (ECFCST), have joined forces to launch a Secret Santa appeal.

The soaring cost-of-living has cast a shadow over many households this year, leaving families and individuals grappling with financial strains this Christmas.

To become a Secret Santa, simply donate £5, £10 or even £20 and ECI will send a Christmas gift of equal value to an individual or family.

Teresa Pollard, Exeter Community Initiatives’ Fundraising Manager, said: “In the spirit of the season, ECI and our partners,...

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Devon charity celebrates 25 years of supporting unpaid carers

Devon Carers, a free service by Westbank Community Health and Care, is this month celebrating 25 years of supporting unpaid carers across the county and is planning several events throughout the coming year as part of its landmark anniversary.

The charity provides a wide range of support services to those who look after family members or friends because they are ill, frail, or have a disability, mental health or substance misuse problem.

Over the last two and a half decades, Westbank’s Devon Carers has grown to be one of the largest charitable organisations in the UK...

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Exeter charity celebrates a successful year of holiday activiites

Exeter Charity, The Hollow Lane Club is celebrating the success of its holiday clubs this year including its well-loved Summer Club which ran for 12 days across July and August, helping 63 children from 57 different families.

The local charity supports children and young people with complex disabilities, providing year-round clubs and activities helping children socialise with the support of the club’s playworkers.

The Club organised a variety of activities for the children to enjoy in Summer – including group trips off site to locations such as Paignton Zoo and Exeter...

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Devon company’s mattress donation helps Exeter charity create sweet dreams!

As part of their commitment to help alleviate bed poverty, Devon-based bed and mattress company, Naturalmat, has donated two new mattresses to local charity, Exeter Community Initiatives (ECI).

The brand-new mattresses have been distributed to a teenage boy and a mum recovering from surgery - both of whom are receiving support from ECI’s Family Resource project.

ECI helps people in Exeter and the surrounding area to improve wellbeing and build skills, supports families facing challenges and hardships, and helps communities to thrive.

ECI’s Family Resource...

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Devon Air Ambulance is proudly celebrating Trustees' Week

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Mon, 11/06/2023 - 11:07pm

Devon Air Ambulance (DAA) is proud to be celebrating the work of the Charity’s Trustee’s during National Trustees' Week.

At DAA, Trustees bring a great deal of experience and broad industry knowledge and on a day-to-day basis their responsibilities include many things such as, governance, strategic direction, and the financial health of the charity as well as the integrity of all activities, making sure that the charity are developing their aims, objectives, and goals in line with the overall strategy.

The National Council for Voluntary Organisations’ (NCVO) Trustee Week...

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Devon Air Ambulance founder, Ann Ralli awarded ‘Life President’ title 

Ann Ralli began the Ceri Thomas appeal following the tragic loss of her son when he was knocked from his bicycle near Sidmouth in 1986.

When Ann asked doctors what could have saved her son, she was told that the quicker a patient receives treatment, the better their chance of survival. This stayed with Ann, and she launched the 'Ceri Thomas Appeal' to raise funds to get an Air Ambulance for Devon.

Six years later, after holding countless fundraisers, liaising with many council, health, and aviation officials, and gaining the vital support of those in her local community...

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Exeter Round Table’s annual firework extravaganza returns

Exeter Round Table’s annual firework extravaganza returns for its 40th anniversary, in support of Devon Air Ambulance.

Devon Air Ambulance is delighted that Exeter Round Table has once more chosen to support the charity with this popular event.

This year, the spectacular pyrotechnical display will be synchronised to the music from the Greatest Showman when it returns to Westpoint Arena on Saturday 4th November.

The display, hosted by Radio Exe, will feature fireworks set to the popular musical by Sonic Fireworks, the 2022 British Champions! Not only that, but...

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