Charities

Exeter Leukaemia Fund wins MAB Foundation's £20,000 anniversary grant

The Mortgage Advice Bureau Foundation has awarded its one-off £20,000 Extra Funding Grant to Exeter Leukaemia Fund (ELF), a charity supporting people affected by blood cancer and their families.

The award marks three years of grant-giving by the Foundation, which has supported around 60 UK charities and raised over £550,000 since launching in 2022. Every previous grant recipient was invited to apply for the anniversary grant, with five charities shortlisted and asked to submit a video for colleagues and business partners to vote on.

ELF, which receives no government...

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Fire Service support team turn rescuers as tiny kitten is saved from car

A group of fire station workers who usually leave dramatic rescues to their firefighters got a taste of the action when a tiny kitten became perilously stuck inside a car.

The usually desk-based colleagues were called upon to help when a member of the public made an unexpected detour and drove to Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service Headquarters at The Knowle in Clyst St George because they could hear a cat crying out from somewhere in their car.

As there are no firefighters stationed at the headquarters, members of the Digital & Data, HR, Operational...

Care home director takes on epic charity climbing challenge

Staff and residents at Lucerne House in Exeter are celebrating because their incredibly brave Regional Director, Cosmin Lemnaru, has survived a terrifying mountain climb in order to raise money for Barchester’s Charitable Foundation.

The Foundation supports older people and other adults living with a disability or mental health condition by helping them to connect or re-connect with others in their local communities.

Set up in 2000, this year marks the Foundation’s 26th year supporting individuals, community groups and small charities all across the country.

On...

Exeter woman defies stroke at 29 to launch stand-up comedy career

An Exeter woman who had a stroke aged just 29 has turned to comedy to help rebuild her life and confidence.

Molly Kinsey’s act focusses on the chaos of being a mum to her young son, and audiences are stunned when she reveals that she is a stroke survivor. She is determined to show that she isn’t letting the memory problems, fatigue, and eyesight problems she’s been left with since her stroke in 2022 stop her from following her passion.

Molly, who will be performing at the Bootlegger in Fore Street, Exeter, on Friday 31 July, said: “During my act, when I tell people that...

Exeter charity launches free "Joy Rides" to help people get cycling again

Ride On is launching a new, free cycling programme aimed at beginners, people returning to cycling after a break, or anyone looking for a sociable ride to help them get back outside this summer.

Called Joy Rides, the sessions launch on Saturday 18 July and run weekly through to September, alternating between Saturday mornings and Wednesday evenings to fit around work, family, and shift patterns. Each ride follows one of three easy, mostly traffic-free routes around Exeter Quay, the Exe estuary, and Topsham, led by trained ride leaders and open to all abilities.

The...

Tilia Homes announces three-year partnership with Royal Devon Hospitals Charity

Tilia Homes has announced a new three-year partnership with Royal Devon Hospitals Charity, reinforcing its commitment to supporting communities across Devon.

Royal Devon Hospitals Charity supports two acute hospitals, 17 community hospitals and a range of community, specialist and primary care services across north, mid and east Devon. The charity raises money to enhance hospital care beyond what’s possible with NHS funding. Through the partnership, Tilia Homes will work alongside the charity to support fundraising initiatives, raise awareness of its work and help strengthen...

Local care home worker a tour de force for cancer charity

Tony Howard, Hotel Services Manager at The Lodge, an Elizabeth Finn Care Home in Exeter, completed the challenging 100-mile route of The Nello 2026 to raise funds for Force Cancer Charity.

The Nello, Devon’s major cycling event which starts in Topsham, was originally launched in 2000 by Marc Millon in memory of his friend Nello Ghezzo. Since this first Nello Century Cycle Challenge, the ride has raised more than £1.4m for Force Cancer Charity, which works to support people in Exeter and Devon who have been affected by cancer.

A keen cyclist, Tony was inspired to take...

The Community Cookery School at Westbank launches new courses to support charity's work

The Community Cookery School at Westbank launches inspiring new courses to support the charity's work

The end of June marked the start of an exciting opportunity for would-be cooks to learn essential kitchen skills at Westbank Community Health and Care’s bespoke teaching kitchen in Exminster. A 6-week Learn to Cook course for beginners started on Monday, 29 June (with places still available), and a second one will begin on Monday, 17 August. The courses are friendly, supportive workshops for people with little or no cooking experience. Participants will learn to prepare simple homemade meals with practical support throughout. Each week includes demonstrations, guided practice and tasting...

Westbank's Katie Elliott, centre, with the supportive team at Nettl

Westbank at 40 supports 40,000 people and celebrates with a new fundraising campaign

Westbank Community Health and Care is marking its 40th anniversary with a milestone achievement - supporting 40,000 Devonians on their journey to improved health, wellbeing and community connection.

During a celebratory year for the award-winning charity, Westbank is providing a lifeline to more people than ever before through a diverse range of community-based services. These include: Devon Carers, Devon Parent Carers (launched this year), Health Walks, The Community Cookery School, The Community Hub, Community Larders, The Gym, Community Transport and Social Prescribing....

Riders line up for the start of the Nello

FORCE Nello cycle ride has big target for 2026

Around 1,000 cyclists are gearing up for one of the region’s most popular charity cycle events with a mission to support more Devon families affected by cancer.

FORCE Cancer Charity’s Nello ride is on Sunday June 28, starting and finishing at Topsham Rugby Club.

It has raised around £1.5 million since it was established in memory of Topsham restaurateur Nello Ghezzo in 2000.

That money supports people across the county – patients and their loved ones – dealing with a cancer diagnosis.

More and more people are being diagnosed with cancer every year and that...

Daisy’s cancer fight inspires fundraising challenge

A DEVON optician is preparing to run the Grand Western Canal, having been inspired by his best friend’s daughter who’s been battling acute leukaemia.

Neil Millen, a director at the locally owned and run Specsavers Bideford, is pulling on his running shoes to raise as much money as he can for the charity Cure Leukaemia after seeing 15-year-old Daisy McGowan battle the disease for two years.

To raise further funds, Daisy’s father Scott is tackling all 21 stages of the Tour de France route – 3,333km and 5,4450m of ascent – on behalf of Cure Leukaemia, as part of a group of...

Charities

Exeter Leukaemia Fund wins MAB Foundation's £20,000 anniversary grant

Fire Service support team turn rescuers as tiny kitten is saved from car

Care home director takes on epic charity climbing challenge

Exeter woman defies stroke at 29 to launch stand-up comedy career

Exeter charity launches free "Joy Rides" to help people get cycling again

Tilia Homes announces three-year partnership with Royal Devon Hospitals Charity

Local care home worker a tour de force for cancer charity

The Community Cookery School at Westbank launches inspiring new courses to support the charity's work

Westbank at 40 supports 40,000 people and celebrates with a new fundraising campaign

FORCE Nello cycle ride has big target for 2026

Daisy’s cancer fight inspires fundraising challenge

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