CHSW Newsletter Winter 2014

Registered Charity No. 1003314

Winter newsletter 2014 A family Christmas at Little Bridge House

p4

p7 Families become fund raisers!

p14 New Year, New Challenge events!

www.chsw.org.uk

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@chsw

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Warm festive wishes Christmas is a very meaningful time of year for most of us and it is accompanied by a range of very mixed emotions.

It is usually a time for reflection on what has passed during the previous year and a time to recall memories of events and people, which are sometimes happy and sometimes less so.

For most children, Christmas is a time of great excitement and anticipation and for families it’s the combination of joy, thanksgiving and hoping to ensure that everyone is made as happy as possible.

For families who have a life-limited child, the dynamics associated with Christmas are often a little different. In the midst of trying to bring happiness to all family members, parents and carers have to contend with the emotion that this may be their sick child’s last Christmas and thus, everything needs to be done to ensure that the experiences of this time of year contribute to that very special treasure chest of memories, which parents always carry with them.

Our three children’s hospices are open at Christmas, in order to support families at this often difficult time of year. We are so grateful to our Care Teams who give up their own Christmas at home with their families and throw themselves into helping to make the most of Christmas for the children and families we care for. Their efforts are so much appreciated, as are your efforts in financially supporting the Care Teams, during not only Christmas but also the rest of the days of the year.

On behalf of all our families, thank you so much for all your support. We wish you all a very Happy and Peaceful Christmas.

Eddie Farwell Co-Founder & Chief Executive You can also view this newsletter online at www.chsw.org.uk/newsletters

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aC h tmas gift ris

£5

Every day spent at our children’s hospices is a treasured memory, but we can make Christmas more magical for the very sick children in our care.

If you are able to give us a gift of £5 this festive season, you will be helping a lifelimited child and their family make the most of their precious time together.

To give to our £5 Christmas appeal, complete your details on the reverse of the enclosed envelope and post back to us in the Freepost envelope provided.

I get looked after so my Mummy can have a rest. I get to do lots of fun things!

In this edition P 4: A family Christmas at

our hospices P 6 & How your community 12: has been raising funds P 7: Families become fundraisers P 8: How your support

makes a difference P 10: Corporate catch-up P 13: Precious time as a family P 14: Events to get involved in!

P 16: Scilly Bees raise a smile!

Warm festive wishes / Please give a Christmas gift

Help make Christmas magical

Pass it on!

When you’ve finished reading this share it with your family and friends.

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Christmas at our hospices James Granville has been using Little Bridge House since he was just over a year old. He requires 24 hour care, day and night.

James’ Mum Elaine, his step Dad Andy along with his four brothers and sisters will be spending Christmas together at our children’s hospice.

For us, this Christmas is extra special as we will all be together.

James’ step dad Andy has recently raised over £1000 for Little Bridge House by doing a skydive at 15,000 feet in a dress and wig!

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Staying at Little Bridge House this Christmas will allow us time to just be a family and enjoy the things that Christmas should be about – eating as a family and spending time making memories with James and his siblings, while knowing that his care needs are being catered for, so I can just be his mum again.

James loves it here – his favourite places are the hydrotherapy pool and the multi sensory room. He also has an eye for the ladies and we joke with the care team that he is most happy when the ladies are making a fuss of him!

The sparkle in his eye makes us all smile and I know he is happy and relaxed here.

With your support, we can continue to help families like James’ make the most of their precious time together.

Christmas at our hospices

Every day with James is important as we don’t know if it will be our last.

See how your donations make a difference, you can visit any of our hospices on an open day.

Call to book today

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Inspirational Fundraising

Tincknell Kids Fun Day Raised: £1,500

Sunny Somerset gettogether

Startrek Challenge

Raised: : £550

Raised: over £10,000

Jim and Mary Lockyer hosted a ‘Cider and ploughman’s supper get-together’ on a sunny Somerset evening near Othery, with Music and dancing from the Taunton Deane Morris Men.

This annual orienteering challenge in the dark with a secret location is now in its 23rd year! Sign up for 7 and 8 March 2015 at www.rotary-startrek.org.uk

Your support allows us to provide care for the whole family, each and every day of the year.

The fifth Nailsea International Bike Show 2014 Raised: £3,200 This annual motorcycling event gets bigger each year! A special thanks to all the volunteer helpers and the support of Clevedon Motorcycle’s and Rj Motorcycles.

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This fun day organised by the Tincknell Family saw families enjoying a bouncy slide, face painting, as well as Marcia the goose, chickens, ducks and a pair of retired donkeys!

Tessa Moore memorial event Raised: £18,147.10

Lavington Church Coffee Morning Raised: over £800 Organised by Heather Money, Great Grandmother of Imogen Smale who uses Little Bridge House. Their event involved lots of coffee, cake and fun!

The Blagdon Valley Gun Club held a memorial event in their village, in honour of Tessa Moore. Tessa had Edwards Syndrome and during the short 40 days of her life Tessa got to met many people, particularly in Blagdon Village. With Gift Aid, the final amount will be over £20,000!

Ashleigh and her family have been coming to Little Bridge House since she was 6 years old. In May 2014, Ashleigh celebrated her 21st birthday. Along with her brother and sister, Ashleigh and her family loved each visit to Little Bridge House.

Inspirational Fundraising

Families become fundraisers!

It was lovely to be able to spend quality time together as a family and for Ashleigh to be able to do things she wouldn’t normally be able to do at home.

- Ashleigh’s Mum

As part of Ashleigh’s Birthday celebrations, her Aunt held a draw to raise money for Children’s Hospice South West, raising a fantastic £210.

As Ashleigh is now 21 her last visit was in July, but the family will continue to support the hospice as she has had many a happy and memorable time there, and she will miss it greatly.

On her recent stay at Little Bridge House, Libby Gregory aged 6, made some gingerbread men and animals.

She decided to sell these yummy treats and to donate all the money raised to Children’s Hospice South West. Thank you Libby!

- Ashleigh’s Aunt, Julie

A special thank you to all Children’s Hospice South West families who fundraise for us.

For more fundraising tips and ideas, go to www.chsw.org.uk/ideas

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Your support makes a difference Each year we ask our families to tell us what they think about us and the care that they receive. Here is what they had to say:

Poorly children

It’s home from home that gives me a break from everyday worries and a change of place

With your support we can continue to help families with life-limited children create precious memories to last forever.

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You get to sit in the Jacuzzi and have lots of fun!

It gives families a place to be a family again and it’s a place where you can relax away from home.

Siblings It’s absolutely awesome!

amazingly

aC h

£5

tmas gift ris

Use the envelope to donate just £5.00 to help make the most of short and precious lives

I get looked after so my Mummy can have a rest. I get to do lots of fun things!

They look after my poorly sister and they look after us too. It’s great fun and I love going there.

I love how welcome they make you feel and the choices they give you.The facilities are amazing - even if it’s a rainy day, they will put a smile on your face!

It’s lovely to have a home cooked and nutritious meal.

Coming here has made such a big impact on us all as a family - the care and support is brilliant.

We were scared of the word ‘hospice’ but now we wish we’d come here sooner.

We never want to go home!

Thank you

this is what your support means to our families

We are always supported when times are more difficult and we know we can talk to anyone when we need to.

Little Harbour is a lifeline for us and gives my son an experience of getting out and about, which is difficult with a sole carer at home - it gives me a break too.

Your support makes a difference

Little man is kept very busy - it was lovely to see him having so much fun!

Parents

Staying at Little Bridge House is the only time I feel fully rested as all of our family is looked after wonderfully.

We’re hugely grateful for the support and we still can’t believe what is offered to us.

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Corporate catch-up Christmas can be a magical time – full of laughter, presents and tinsel – but for many of our children and families it can be an overwhelming and emotional time when extra care and support is needed. Children’s nurses play a key role in supporting families, providing practical care as well as emotional support.

CHSW is looking for companies to give a gift of £1,000 to help sponsor a nurse.

To learn more about how we can promote your business in return for this special gift, visit www.chsw.org.uk/nurse or get in touch with your local Corporate Partnerships Fundraiser.

Sponsor a

nurse

It costs around £30,000 each year to fund a nurse at one of our hospices.

Could your company be one of thirty £1,000 donors?

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Thank you to the businesses already sponsoring a nurse: • Kitsons • Unite the Union • Next Plc • Right Database Publishing Solutions • Clive Mitchell Cycles • Dartington Crystal • Santander

Charity of the Year

We’re delighted to see more companies supporting us through Cause Related Marketing, where they feature our CHSW logo on their product and give a donation from each item sold.

Nominate CHSW as your Charity of the Year and raise as much as you can in 12 months!

engaging staff, giving presentations to inspire and motivate as well as providing fundraising tips, ideas and tools.

With excellent staff engagement opportunities, from running marathons, holding cake sales, dress down days or quiz nights, employees all over the South West can raise money whilst having fun.

20 New Look stores across Devon and Cornwall currently support CHSW through a Charity of the Year partnership. They have set themselves a target of raising £15,000 by taking part in activities such as The £50 Challenge, Santas on the Run, Skydives and Cake Sales.

These special corporate partners find some great benefits in return the use of our logo on their product, their logo and product details on the ‘Shop with our Partners’ page of our website, media exposure and linking their brand to an emotive cause, close to people’s hearts.

New steak restaurant, CAU, in Bristol has decided this way to support CHSW in y er ev for p 20 g by donatin ndae Su m ea Cr Ice ke Cornfla show to y sold. A delicious wa !

SW CH their support for Thank you CAU!

Whatever your company size, our Corporate Partnerships Fundraisers are on hand to work alongside you and can help through

Corporate catch-up

Shop with our Partners

Working with us in this way offers a range of benefits, including: Generating positive PR opportunities Demonstrating your company values and commitment to the local community Boosting staff morale

Contact our Corporate Partnerships Team to see how your company can help:

Encouraging team building

corporate@chsw.org.uk

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Inspirational Fundraising Iron Man challenge!

Raised: £7,300 Adam Davis from Mylor Bridge near Falmouth completed an Iron Man challenge in Wales.

Adam swam for 1 hour 8 minutes, cycled for 6 hours 42 minutes and ran a marathon in 4 hours 19 minutes!

Wessex Mid-Summer Vintage Gathering, Wiltshire

Your fundraising allows families to rest and re-charge, whilst creating lasting memories, families like Sam’s

SABIS UK International School Raised: £600 SABIS international School, Bath supported CHSW as their Charity of The Year. Students sold badges, raised funds from the tuck shop and helped to raise sponsorship for three of their teachers who ran Bath Half Marathon 2014.

Raised: £1,010 Eric Gay and other members of the Wessex Stationary Engine Club have been organising this annual event for seven years.

Eric and his fellow members are loyal supporters of CHSW and confirmed that the event in 2015 will continue to support us!

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Butterfly Ball, Plymouth Raised: over £5,300 This event was organised by two Little Bridge House Grannies and Great Aunts who make up the Daisy Chain Friends Group.

Charity Family night Raised: £602 14 year old Brandon Hughes raised money by holding a family charity night in St Austell.

He is already planning another fundraising night for Boxing Day!

Inspirational fundraising / Precious time as a family

Precious time as a family Sam is 10 years old and has neurological conditions, which affect his physical and mental skills. He cannot walk or talk and requires round-the-clock care as his health needs are complex - even the slightest cold can quite quickly spiral out of control.

If you are the carer of an ill child - sometimes you need someone to look after you, too.

Time spent at Little Bridge House gives us the strength to take him home and pick up our lives again.

- Sam’s Mum, Jo

You can support families like Sam’s by playing our Lottery.

08456 888911 www.chsw.org.uk/lottery

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th sav e e da te

Rainbow Run 2015

!

• Exeter, The Racecourse 13 June • Bristol, The Downs 20 June • Newquay, RAF St Mawgan 28 June

Wacky Wardrobe Can your school help raise a smile for Children’s Hospice South West?

Invite your pupils and teachers to dig out their wackiest clothes and donate £1.00 to wear them on your chosen day at school!

Get showered with all the colours of the Rainbow in this 5K fun run! Pre-register for and keep up to date with all the information!

www.chsw.org.uk/wacky-wardrobe or wackywardrobe@chsw.org.uk

www.chsw.org.uk/rainbow

RIDE FOR LIVES PRECIOUS12 TH FRIDAY 10 - SUNDAY

Re g no iste w! r

TH

3 DAYS 3 COUNTIES 3 HOSPICES

20 5 miles

JULY 2015

This incredible 205 mile, three day ride takes us from Cornwall to Bristol via our three children’s hospices.With only 100 places, it’s sure to sell out - so join the ride today!

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www.chsw.org.uk/ride events@chsw.org.uk

Abseil the highest waterfall in England!

New new ch

220ft waterfall Abseil

Canonteign Falls Abseil

www.chsw.org.uk/abseil events@chsw.org.uk

• 1 August

Skydives 2015 Dunkeswell Airfield, Honiton • 26 April • 23 May • 6 September • 10 October

Perranporth Airfield, Trevellas, Cornwall • 21 & 22 February • 20 & 21 June • 12 & 13 September

• 21 March

Take on the challenge of this exhilarating 15,000ft sky dive!

For more information and to book your place,

year, hallenge

NEW for 2015!

Rock Solid

01271 325270 skydive@chsw.org.uk

Overseas Challenges Have you always had the intention to take on a trek up a mountain or feel the thrill of white water rafting, but never quite got around to doing it?

Now’s your chance!

Overseas challenges take place all year round, in amazing countries all over the world so there truly is something to suit any adventurer.

At only £45 per ticket, this cocktail of mud, sweat and team work will push your mettle to the max! Get your reduced priced ticket today and take on a 5k, 10k or 15k challenge at Escott Park!

New year, new challenge

P sp rice ec ial

www.chsw.org.uk/rock-solid marina.leadbetter@chsw.org.uk

RUNNING CLUB

Run for us in 2015!

• Bath Half Marathon 1 March Contact us for Silver bond places • Bideford Half Marathon 8 March • Plymouth Half Marathon 19 April Contact us for Gold bond places • Bristol 10K 31 May

Contact us for details of companies that offer these adventures of a life time!

Do you have your running place already? Looking for a charity to support? Join our CHSW Running Club - a very special group of people willing to test themselves physically to raise smiles.

www.chsw.org.uk/overseas-challenges

www.chsw.org.uk/running

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Little Bridge House 01271 325270 Redlands Road, Fremington, Barnstaple, Devon EX31 2PZ Charlton Farm 01275 866600 Charlton Drive, Wraxall, North Somerset BS48 1PE

Scilly bees raise a smile!

Thank you to Seb, Charlotte and Benji who raised a fantastic ÂŁ60.15 for us, by selling hand painted pebbles whilst on holiday!

Little Harbour 01726 871800 Porthpean Road, Porthpean, St Austell, Cornwall PL26 6AZ

Registered Charity No. 1003314 Registered in England No. 2620879

www.chsw.org.uk