Lilian, 80 years old from Axminster, volunteers as treasurer of her local support group, helps fundraise in the local community, and has volunteered in the Axminster Hospiscare shop for over 22 years.
Shop manager, Anna says, “Lilian is very modest. She does so much to help in the shop but acts like it’s nothing. She often looks after the whole shop when we are short staffed and even pops in when she is out doing her shopping to check if we need any help. To me she is completely irreplaceable.”
“I volunteer my time in the shop 2 days a week and usually a little bit extra in...
The Breakfast Run on 30 September will be a family affair for Sabrina Eastley, who is taking part with her children, Jack, age 14, Joby, 13, Harvey, 9, and Ruby, 8, and her Mum, Jackie.
They are raising funds in memory of husband and father James, who died at home in the care of Hospiscare in March this year.
James and Sabrina had been together since early 2003, when they worked together at a sweet factory in Tiverton. Theirs was a whirlwind romance and before the year was out their first baby, Jack, arrived. He was swiftly followed by Joby and, after a 3-year gap, by...
Hospiscare’s annual Coffee Morning event is about to get under way. Throughout the area, people are signing up to raise funds for the local charity by holding coffee mornings in their homes, community halls and even their local parks. Businesses, too, are getting ready to brew up for Hospiscare.
Popular local celebrity Judy Spiers and her faithful companion Gus Honeybun, will once again be joining in the fun and popping in to visit coffee mornings during the event, which runs throughout September.
Last September, Hospiscare supporters held more than 100 coffee mornings,...
If you were to pop into any Hospiscare shop now, you will be met by a new addition the team. Kim, in cardboard cut-out form, is updated each week with a new number - the hours of Hospiscare Community Nurse Specialist visits that are funded by the Weekly Prize Draw tickets sold in Hospiscare shops.
The real Kim Thomas is an Assistant Practitioner and familiar face at the Day Hospice at Searle House. Chris Routley, the Lottery Manager, says: “It was important to me that we showed a real Hospiscare care provider and not just a stock image, so I am delighted Kim has allowed us to use...
Sally Payne, 43 from Exeter, has been on an unwanted roller coaster ride since 2013. Whilst working in London as a nanny, Sally discovered she had breast cancer. At the time she was only 38. Despite surgeries, chemo and radiotherapy, Sally now has secondary cancer. Local charity Hospiscare is supporting her in managing her illness whilst she continues to do the job she loves.
Sally shares her story.
“I felt fine. Not unwell at all. I was working in London as a nanny, loving life.
“I was getting out of the bath one day when I noticed a dent in one of my breasts. I...
Popular Devon charity Hospiscare is to receive a whopping £100,000 donation from The Exeter Property Summer Ball Committee and the Exeter Foundation.
The Legacy Project Grant is the first to be joint-funded by both organisations and will pay for the vital refurbishment of a 12-bed ward at Hospiscare’s Searle House in Exeter.
Based in Exeter, Hospiscare was formed in 1982 with two community nurses and the hospice was opened in 1992.
The charity now employs 160 staff and more than 1,000 volunteers and provides care and support to people with progressive life-limiting...
When Stella Ford’s husband, Alfred, was diagnosed with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), an illness which leaves a patient increasingly breathless, Stella was adamant she wanted to care for Alfred at home. Stella, 78 from Honiton, didn’t realise that help was available from local charity Hospiscare, who support people in Exeter, Mid and East Devon. Stella thought hospices were only for cancer patients and places where you went to die. However, Hospiscare supports patients from the onset of a life-limiting condition, providing support at home at the end of life and caring for...
Devon opera buffs are keenly anticipating an evening of exquisite performances in the historic surroundings of Cadhay, Ottery St Mary, on 25 September.
Internationally acclaimed opera singers Anando Mukerjee and Justine Viani will be performing at the black tie event, kindly hosted by Rupert Thistlethwayte and Caroline Prior who are raising funds for Hospiscare.
London-based Anando is well known to Devonians, having previously performed at Cadhay and with Devon Opera. Anando is a lirico-spinto tenor, meaning that he is versatile enough to sing both lyrical and dramatic...
There was a surprise in store for children at Heathcoat Primary School in Tiverton when an unusual competitor turned up and took part in their annual sports day.
Schoolchildren, teachers and parents alike were thrilled to see George the Mouse arrive, but their delight turned to surprise when the 6ft mouse lined up alongside the children to take part in the races.
Enquiries revealed that George is in training for this year’s Hospiscare Breakfast Run , which is taking place on 30 September at Knightshayes Court, near Tiverton. He knows there will be some fit cuddly toys and...
Four hospices in Devon have warned that a lack of government funding could leave them struggling to recruit and retain nursing staff, putting a strain on funding and potentially leaving vital front line services at risk.
The government have indicated that the welcome recent pay award for NHS staff will not be extended to hospices, a decision which if Devon hospices were to match would present a shortfall of £1.6 million collectively.
North Devon Hospice, St Luke’s Hospice Plymouth, Rowcroft Hospice in South Devon and Hospiscare in Exeter are all calling on the government to...
