Hospiscare

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...

Hospiscare supporters will be taking to the skies above East Devon on Saturday 18 August for a morning of skydives at Dunkeswell Airfield to raise funds for the charity, which supports adults with terminal illnesses in Exeter, Mid and East Devon.

The skydivers will be in the capable and experienced hands of Skydive Buzz for what promises to be an adrenaline-filled and exhilarating experience. Hospiscare volunteer and first-time skydiver, Shirley Botfield from Exeter, will be jumping in memory of her late husband Keith, who died of mesothelioma at the Exeter hospice, Searle House,...

Hospiscare is asking ‘going green’ at the upcoming Twilight Walk in Exmouth, which takes place on Saturday, 7 July. The charity is also taking measures to keep environmental impact at the event as low as possible – for example, no ready-filled water bottles will be available.

Along with the Twilight Walk’s usual 5-mile and 10-mile routes there will be a 5k fun run – and all walkers and runners are encouraged to bring their own reusable water bottles to cut down on single-use plastic bottles. Alternatively, Hospiscare’s new 750 ml BPA-free reusable water bottle will be available to...

Places on the Hospiscare Twilight Walk , taking place on 7 July, are going fast, so walkers – and runners – are advised to sign up soon. For the first time, this year’s event includes a 5k fun run as well as the now-traditional 5 or 10 mile walking routes, to cater for women and girls of all ages and levels of fitness.

Starting at the Maer in Exmouth, the event has a ‘Pink Fizz’ theme, so runners and walkers who agree that pink isn’t just a colour, it’s an attitude are encouraged to dress accordingly. The fizz – a drop or two of bubbly – will await them, along with a bacon bap and...