CHSW Spring/Summer 2019 Newsletter

Changes at Little Bridge House

NEWSLETTER 2019

Amazing . supporters.. or thank you f il ies helping fam like ours

Our volunteers, our st rs Special reasons for fundraising Fantastic fundraising in the community

Inside...

Page 2 Small cars with big hearts Page 3 Our volunteers, our stars Page 4 Fantastic community fundraising Page 6 Top marks for fundraising in schools Page 7 How major gifts and grants support us Page 8 Fantastic community fundraising Page 10 Even the smallest contributions can make a big difference to our families Page 12 Our shops couldn’t do it without you!

Page 13 Corporate fundraising Page 14 Fantastic community fundraising Page 16 Special reasons for fundraising Page 18 Your print on our future Page 18 Get involved in 2019 Page 19 Meet our Trustee: Karen Rogers Page 20 Raise a Smile Weekly Lottery

We’ll be sharing our fundraising A-Z on each page, A for amazing: Abseil

It costs around £10 million to keep our three hospices open, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. With your support, we can keep our promise to make the most of short and precious lives across the South West.

Afternoon tea

Auction of promises

A very warm welcome to our newsletter Crocuses, daffodils and tulips signal the end of the winter, and the exciting anticipation of spring, with longer days and warmer weather just around the corner. A new year begins its cycle and here at Children’s Hospice South West, we look to the year ahead, ready to face the challenges which will come our way.

You helped us during the last five years and through the loss of our son. We couldn’t have got through it without you wonderful people who go above and beyond and still continue to support us.

There are not words enough to describe how grateful we will always be.

Thank you.

Words from one of our CHSW families.

In this edition, we focus on the amazing and tireless work of those incredibly special people, our invaluable supporters. Some have journeyed with us for many, many years; others have joined us more recently or have chosen to hold a one-off event. Not forgetting our Fundraising Teams at each of our three hospices, who are dedicated to constantly finding new and exciting ways to raise even more money. Without all of those people, we would not be able to deliver our special care to the children with life-limiting conditions and their families who stay with us.

So, whether you hold a coffee morning, a raffle, gain sponsorship for an event or donate items to our shops, every single one is much appreciated and really does make such a difference.

Receiving very little statutory funding means our battle to sustain our levels of income through fundraising is constant. It’s not a one-off appeal or a single event that can maintain our service; we need to do it every day of every year, and this is no mean feat. ‘Every penny counts’ may well be an old and well used phrase but this is exactly what ensures the good health of CHSW, and we wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for you!

With my enormous thanks and very best wishes,

B for big fundraising: Bake sale

Baked bean bath

Beard shaving

We hope you enjoy reading the many stories as well as the great lengths that people go to, to help raise funds for us, and perhaps these will inspire you to fundraise for us again or maybe for the first time.

Please come and visit us and see for yourself just what a difference your support can make!

Eddie Farwell MBE Co-Founder and Chief Executive

Bingo

Birthday fundraiser

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Eddie Farwell, Co-Founder and Chief Executive of CHSW, said:

Small cars with big hearts Terry Baker, the driving force behind the annual August bank holiday North Devon Mini run, the Legendary Grand Tour, has been raising smiles and money for almost 25 years, raising more than half a million pounds for Children’s Hospice South West. In October 2018, Terry’s hard work saw him receive the award for Regional Fundraiser of the Year for the South West, in ITV’s Pride of Britain awards.

The regional award was presented to Terry at Little Bridge House, and he was quick to recognise the contribution of all those involved in making the event such a success every year: “I may organise the event, but there is no way I could put it on without some very special help, and they are my crew members and bike marshals, who are always out there in all weather. I just bring the cars together, and it works so well.”

This year, the bike marshals’ collecting buckets raised £4,180. Every Mini driver is also asked to raise a minimum amount of sponsorship. Even the younger passengers find ways to raise money. In 2018, Seth and Leo Rhodes and Cole Smart set up a sweet shop at the Minis’ campsite at the Big Sheep, selling treats to drivers and their passengers. They raised an amazing £32 which they donated to CHSW.

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Thanks to Terry, his crew and all those who have taken part in, supported or contributed to the Legendary Grand Tours, the Small Cars with Big Hearts have made a huge difference to Children’s Hospice South West.

We are so grateful for the generosity shown

by Terry Baker along with everyone involved in the Legendary Grand Tours.

The support we have received from the event is phenomenal and we cannot thank those involved enough.

Money raised from 2018’s Legendary Grand Tour will fund a member of the Sibling Team, while previous years have helped to purchase three minibuses and a specially adapted car, create and extend Art Therapy areas at all three hospices, purchase equipment such as an oxygen generator, and contribute to appeals for the creation of Toad Hall at Little Bridge House.

Read Terry’s full story at www.chsw.org.uk/terrybaker

C for creative fundraising: Car boot sale

Car wash

Photographers: Mark Gameson and Luke MacKenzie

CHSW shops

Coffee morning

Craft fair

Our volunteers, our st rs I love coming in to volunteer, mix with the other staff, and the different people I meet. I feel privileged to be able to support in any way I can.

Marilyn, reception volunteer Star quality: always friendly and smiling Star commitment: Tuesday mornings

Volunteers play an important role in so many aspects of what we do at CHSW. More than 700 people give their time for free, to help in our hospices, kitchens, offices, shops, gardens and at events, supporting our work with children and families across the South West.

In October, we held our Volunteers’ Week, highlighting the star qualities our volunteers bring, and inviting others to be our next star.

11 of our volunteers kindly agreed to take part in photo shoots to help us put together a fantastic campaign to show the diverse contributions volunteers make: from Ray, who has been volunteering in the gardens for four years, to sixth former Molly, one of our Young Ambassadors, who helps at events and represents CHSW in her local community.

Even our cameraman was a volunteer; wedding and events photographer Tim Lamerton gave two days of his time to take photos in our Bideford shop and at one of our hospices. Thank you Tim.

I love knowing my photos help the charity. It’s great to meet other people doing what they love; to show that in a photograph is a privilege, what’s not to like?

We’re extremely grateful to all the volunteers who agreed to be the stars of this campaign: Mary, Suzanne and Graham in our Bideford shop; Joyce in the hospice kitchen; Maureen, who helps with transport for families; Reception volunteer Marilyn; Pat, who helps in HR once a week; Ray, who helps keep the hospice gardens looking beautiful; and Molly and Emily, who both help Fundraising in a multitude of ways.

Could you share your star qualities with us?

We’d love to welcome you to the team. To find out more visit www.chsw.org.uk/volunteer or contact your local CHSW hospice.

Read their inspiring stories at www.chsw.org.uk/volunteerstories

D for daring fundraising: Dance-a-thon

Darts match

Dog show

Dress down day

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Fantastic fundraising in the community Our army of fundraisers in our local community have fun in many ways raising money for our families, from yoga to tattooing gnomes.

Garden Safari success Yoga with a difference

Happy 40th birthday Emma!

Jackie Smithies, a yoga instructor from Saltash, Cornwall, held a yoga session with a difference when she held a special charity class on Seaton Beach. Lots of people joined her and raised £250!

A massive thank you to Emma Thompson, who works for Skinner’s Brewery in Truro.

To mark her 40th birthday, Emma asked for donations instead of presents and raised a fantastic £256!

On a quiet private lane in the village of Mawnan Smith, members and friends of Mawnan WI opened their gardens to the public for their Garden Safari. The afternoon included cream teas and sales of plants and books, raising an amazing £2,100! Thank you to all involved and for being part of our Open Gardens again.

Three Cornishmen, three vintage tractors, three days!

Edward Buckland, Martin Dyer and John Perry took on a unique challenge to raise money for CHSW and the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution: circumnavigating Cornwall on their three vintage Massey Ferguson tractors! The three friends travelled more than 340 miles in three days at an average of 13.13mph, on 1950s tractors designed for ploughing fields at a leisurely 3mph. Their journey finished at Land’s End, and raised £6,000.

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E for egg-cellent fundraising: Easter egg hunt

Egg painting competition

Eighties night

There are lots of great ways to get involved!

Have you ever wanted to host your own ball, coffee morning or organise a charity quiz night? Could you hold a cake or plant sale?

Flying high for CHSW

Tattooing gnomes!

Karen Goodman, our cook at Little Harbour, recently completed a challenge like no other when she took to the skies for a wing walk strapped to a 1940s Boeing Stearman biplane! Karen raised £2,000, through sponsorship, collections at local events, plant sales and quiz nights.

Full Moon Tattoo in Plymouth spent three 12 hour days tattooing the public, making a £3 donation from each one. Over the three days, staff also dressed as gnomes to encourage further donations, and sold homemade cupcakes made by one of their customers. The whole weekend raised a fantastic £403 from 74 tattoos.

We have a range of fundraising tools on our website: you can download templates for posters, bunting and press releases, and we can help with collecting tins or buckets as well!

For more information or to talk about ideas, speak to one of our Community Fundraisers. You’ll find telephone numbers on the back cover, or visit www.chsw.org.uk/supportus

A lovely letter from 11 year old Amelia Weeks to everyone

We love hearing the wonderful things people do to raise money. We received this letter from Amelia, from Redruth in Cornwall, who wrote:

Dear Children’s Hospice, I was sponsored by my family to do five laps of skipping and in those laps I did 211 skips. The money I received is £22 and I want to give it to you. Yours sincerely, Amelia Weeks.

That’s a serious amount of skipping, thank you so much Amelia for thinking of CHSW!

F for fun fundraising: Face painting

Fashion show

Football match

Friends Group

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Top marks for fundraising in schools!

Whatever your age getting involved with CHSW can be fun Over the last year, 148

schools, colleges and nurseries across the South West have helped us raise more than £73,500!

Fundraising at Kingswood Preparatory School, Bath

Sponsored hair cut at The Downs School, Wraxall

A big thank you to the staff and pupils who supported CHSW as their Charity of the Year in 2017/2018. A year of fundraising culminated in Luke Hopwood’s Thames Challenge, a 184 mile ultra marathon over four days. The result of all their fundraising and hard work is a fantastic £6,400!

Teacher Imogen Payne and her daughters had their hair cut in 2018, to donate to The Little Princess Trust, and decided to set up an online page to raise money for CHSW at the same time. With more than one metre of hair cut off, they raised £1,075 and we think their new look is simply fabulous!

From bake-offs to Wacky Wardrobe days and £20 Challenges, you’ll find plenty of ideas on our website at www.chsw.org.uk/schools Alternatively call your local hospice to find out more, you’ll find telephone numbers on the back cover.

to everyone

Harvest Festival at Fairfield School, Bristol Fairfield School invited Community Fundraiser Kylie to give a talk about CHSW in a special assembly. Pupils have supported CHSW over several years with food donations from their Harvest Festival celebrations. Families have been very generous over the years, and their donations have been much appreciated by Charlton Farm’s Kitchen Team. We were amazed to hear pasta donated by the school in 2017 has lasted our kitchen for a whole year!

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G for great fundraising: Games night

Gifts in wills

Golf day

Guess the weight of the cake

How major gifts and grants support us Raising around £10 million to keep our hospices open is a big challenge and your support is already helping us to make a difference to the lives of the families we care for. Looking to the future, advances in medicine and technology mean many children and their families rely on CHSW for longer, and our relationships with trusts and major donors are vital in helping us provide continued support for more families than ever before.

Music Therapy is kindly supported through grant makers Music Therapy in our three hospices continues to go from strength to strength thanks to the support from various grant making organisations.

Music Therapy is now a well established feature of our care and enables children with life-limiting conditions, limited communication or poor mobility to find ways to interact and express themselves using music as a means of communication.

Our Music Therapists provide music sessions to children on a one to one basis, in small groups or with siblings and families. Every session is adapted to the needs of each child, with a combination of singing, playing, listening, improvisation, composition and storytelling.

We were extremely grateful in 2018 to welcome Anna-Ruby Yates, from the Harry-Krish Mootoosamy Foundation, who is pictured here presenting a cheque for £2,000 to Ceridwen Rees, CHSW Lead Music Therapist.

H for happy fundraising: Half marathon

Head shaving

Major gifts from individuals and grants from trusts and foundations help us to fund particular aspects of our work, and have a tangible impact on the care and services we provide.

To get in touch with CHSW about major gifts and grants, contact Ann Juby, our Major Gifts, Trusts and Grants Officer on 01271 325 270 or by email: ann.juby@chsw.org.uk

Musical melodies at Bath Abbey A magical evening of music by the talented Bath Abbey Melody Makers and King Edward’s School is taking place in the Abbey on Wednesday 15 May 2019.

The event is sponsored by the Joyce Fletcher Charitable Trust, and will help to raise awareness for CHSW. Tickets are free, but limited. For more information, please contact Ann Juby on the contact details above.

Homemade cards

Hula hooping competition

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Fantastic fundraising in the community We never cease to be amazed by the variety of things our supporters do on our behalf: from fun sleepovers to gruelling three day sponsored walks!

Record breaking music!

Teenagers’ sponsored walk

Chagford Montessori Nursery

Students Anna Austin and Rose Farrell celebrated the end of their GCSE exams in an unusual way with a sponsored walk from Little Bridge House to Little Harbour! They raised £1,201, and were still smiling when they reached Little Harbour, where they received a warm flag-waving welcome.

Our Community Fundraiser gave a talk to possibly the youngest audience ever about how CHSW helps poorly children, and helps families have fun in our hospices.

Since then they raised £72 from their harvest shop. We’d like to thank the staff and children for their generous donation.

Not content with walking 138 miles in 2017 for CHSW, Mark Edwards raised an impressive £3,056 in 2018 by playing bass guitar non-stop for 50 hours, smashing the world record! Mark also helped make one teenager’s dream of being in a rock band come true, when he popped into Little Bridge House for a jam session with Jed, Aston, Amber and Music Therapist Ceridwen.

Girl Guides’ Greatest Showman sleepover A million dreams may have kept them awake, but the 1st Braunton to everyone Girl Guides raised a fantastic £69 at their Greatest Showman themed sleepover. The girls had lots of fun, and a coffee morning the following day made sure parents and families had the chance to be involved too.

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I for incredible fundraising: Indoor games

International evening

Ironing

It’s a knockout

Our Friends Groups are simply just amazing!

We’d like to say a special thank you to two groups who sadly closed at the end of 2018, and have done so much to help us: the Wellington Friends Group, who have collectively helped us raise more than £200,000, and the Axe Vale and District Friends Group, where Pauline Leach has been responsible for raising more than £30,000. It has been CHSW’s privilege to have worked with both groups, and we sincerely hope they stay a part of our community.

Our Friends Groups across the South West form a vital part of our team, working tirelessly to raise awareness and funds for CHSW. We have more than 90 amazing Friends Groups who arrange events, organise collections, circulate posters and leaflets, and give talks on our behalf. We are so grateful for all the work and fundraising our Friends Groups do.

Raise a Smile Cream Teas

Join our Friends Groups

Are you a ‘jam on top’ or ‘cream on top’ person? Whichever way you prefer, why not make an occasion of it and hold your own Raise a Smile Cream Tea with friends or colleagues? You could hold a cream tea anywhere, at work, at a community group, in school or even in your own back garden!

Can you help support our work through fundraising and awareness in your community? With more than 90 Friends Groups supporting our three hospices, there’s bound to be one near you. And if there isn’t, you could always start your own!

We can help you promote your event, with poster templates, collection boxes, stickers, leaflets and printable bunting. For more information, or to request a fundraising pack, email dominic.scotting@chsw.org.uk or talk to Dominic on 01271 325 270.

Visit www.chsw.org.uk/friends for more information, or contact your local Community Fundraiser at your nearest hospice. You’ll find their contact details on the back of this newsletter.

J for jolly fundraising: Jail and Bail

Jazz night

Joke-a-thon

Judo competition

Jumble sale

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Even the smallest contributions can make a big difference to our families It costs around £10 million each year to keep our three hospices open, and we know we couldn’t do it without the help and generosity of so many wonderful people and groups in our local communities. Every purchase in our shops, every cake sale or cream tea, every pledge on a sponsor form, every mile walked, jogged or run on our behalf, however you’ve raised money for Children’s Hospice South West we thank you.

But don’t take our word for it; let some of our families express what it means to them:

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A one-off donation of £20 could pay the water bill for one day at one of our hospices.

The hydrotherapy pool gives us the opportunity to get close and hold our son. The water allows for physical contact we can’t experience any more and is so much missed.

A regular d or £150 pe training for

Taking part in one of our fantastic events and raising £70 in sponsorship could pay for two weeks of fun activities for a child at one of our hospices.

It of makes th are; it is t smiles fo specially who are

The staff give endless hours of fun, playing in the soft play, garden, music room, sensory room, and going to see the farm animals or on days out to the zoo or the beach.

K for keen fundraising: Karaoke night

Kite flying display

Knitting

Your company taking part in our £50 Challenge and raising £1,000 could pay for a wonderful activity weekend for our siblings at one of our hospices.

£300 raised by holding your own charity event could pay the daily food bill for our three hospices combined. The cooks relish the challenge of providing tasty, nutritious meals within the constraints of many food intolerances.

The sibling weekends are a real highlight for us all. Being able to talk to other brothers and sisters who know exactly what it’s like to have a sibling with a life-limiting condition was so helpful.

Dinner at home for us is when the girls want it, and I’m holding my daughter, eating with one hand because I can’t put her down. But at the hospice, I get to eat with a knife and fork, which feels like a luxury! We all sit together round the table as a family. That time means such a lot to me.

A gift in your Will , of any size, helps us to

donation of £12.50 a month, er year, could pay for a week of r a member of our Care Team.

t isn’t simply the quality f the environment that he hospices what they the love, friendship and ound inside thanks to the y selected staff simply amazing.

plan for the future, ensuring we can continue to be there for our families now and in the years ahead. Every donation means we can help families across the South West to make the most of every moment they spend with us. Thank you for your support!

We have come to regard the hospice as a second home, a place where the whole family can relax and leave behind the stresses of everyday life.

L for lovely fundraising: Lawn mowing

Line dancing competition

Lottery

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Our shops couldn’t do it without you!

Volunteers are a vital part of retail and everything we do. Every hour of their time helps CHSW make the most of short and precious lives across the South West.

At our Tiverton retail office, volunteers help with processing Gift Aid applications and volunteer administration, as well as finding and listing precious gems at our eBay shop.

In our shops, volunteers help process stock, merchandise the shop, create colourful window displays, serve customers, sell lottery tickets and promote Gift Aid. We have volunteer portable appliance testers checking our electrical goods, and van assistants helping collect large pieces of furniture with our van drivers. Volunteers also assemble items such as prams, cots and dolls houses, and collect bags of donations from the community.

Over 700 retail volunteers gave 102,335 hours of their time last year, helping to raise a total of ÂŁ3.2 million of income in our 32 shops.

People volunteer for a number of reasons, not just to support CHSW: to have a focus, build confidence, meet new friends, learn new skills or use existing ones, help boost their CV or gain an NVQ qualification in retail.

Whatever their reasons for helping, charity retail provides something for everyone!

Find out more about joining our team of retail volunteers at a shop near you at www.chsw.org.uk/ourshops or telephone 01271 313 319

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M for massive fundraising: Marathon

Masked ball

Matched giving

Murder mystery night

Fundraising with our corporate partners

Raising money, smiles and eyebrows!

Our corporate partners never cease to amaze us with the many different ways they find to raise money while giving themselves a unique challenge. Call your local hospice to find out how your workplace could get involved or visit www.chsw.org.uk/fundraiseatwork

Recruitment specialists Girling Jones in Exeter, have supported CHSW and raised money over several years. In 2018, a team braved snow and sub-zero temperatures at the Monster Race endurance event, while September’s Golf Day helped take their fundraising total to more than £7,000 for the year.

Charlton Farm is thrilled to have a Chari-Tea partnership In November 2018 Tracy Park Golf and Country Hotel, near Bath began donating £1 to CHSW from every afternoon tea sold; what better excuse to indulge in a delicious treat? Leanne Kesterton, Sales Manager at Tracy Park commented: I’d heard of Children’s Hospice South West, but never understood what they really did until I visited the hospice.

I was expecting a sterile environment, but what I saw was a welcoming home from home with many different facilities to cater for each child who comes through the doors. My whole visit touched and inspired me. Tracy Park is extremely proud and privileged to partner with CHSW and we hope to be able to continue this relationship for a long time.

But it was Director Simon Girling who raised eyebrows in an Auction of Promises, pledging to wash the winner’s car dressed in a style of their choice. We hope he managed to avoid scratching the paintwork in his high heels!

Bank Managers jailed after dark in Bodmin!

Few people relish spending a night in the UK’s most haunted venue, but in November 14 NatWest branch managers from Cornwall and Devon did just that and raised more than £1,200. Taking part in an After Dark night at Bodmin Jail, they heard the jail’s 230 year history and terrible tales of over 50 people executed within its walls.

N for nutty fundraising: Name the teddy

Night walk

to you all

No TV/gaming/technology day

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Fantastic fundraising in the community Whether it’s a ramble, a harvest festival, a golf day or an art and stories evening, everything you do to raise money makes such a difference to the families we support.

Maniaxe Explorers Weston festive carnival collection!

Harvest festival fundraising Golf day and auction Golfers at Lansdown Golf Club, on the outskirts of Bath, took part in a charity Golf Day in August, raising money to be split between CHSW and CLIC Sargent.

More than 100 people made up 35 teams, enjoyed a round of golf and an auction with lots including various signed memorabilia from golf and other sports. The club had been aiming to raise £2,500 for each charity, but captain John Butler was delighted to present cheques for £4,000 to each of the club’s chosen charities.

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Frome Inner Wheel chose CHSW as their annual harvest festival charity. The local vicar provided a lovely sermon, followed by a lively auction conducted by Rotarian Dennis Barnard. Thanks to the efforts of all involved, they raised more than £800.

On a rainy Friday in November, a local scout group braved the elements to take part in Weston Carnival, collecting for CHSW. Dressed in Santa suits, they also promoted Bristol’s Santas on the Run, handing out leaflets and sweets despite the pouring rain. Thank you to Shaun and all at Maniaxe Explorers Weston for their continued support.

St Andrews and Holy Trinity Rainbow Ramble The churches at Holcombe and Coleford first brought the idea of their to everyone Rainbow Ramble to us in January 2018. After months of hard work and organisation, it all became reality in August, when families came together to enjoy sponsored walks and a treasure hunt. The Rainbow Ramble, combined with proceeds from harvest festivals, led to an amazing £2,569. We’re hugely grateful to both communities for their dedication to raising funds and awareness for CHSW.

O for objective fundraising: Odd jobs

Office Olympics

Open days

Open gardens

Spontaneous collection success by U3A Members of the Charlton Farm Fundraising Team were invited to visit members of the Shepton Mallet University of the Third Age to give a talk about CHSW’s care and support. The group was so impressed and inspired by what they heard, they held a spontaneous collection and instantly raised a wonderful £60.

Help us spread the word about CHSW! We love to talk about what we do, and can provide free speakers for talks in community groups, schools or at events. We can tailor the talk to suit you, and would really love the opportunity to show you how your support can make a difference.

If you would like to hear more contact your nearest hospice to book a talk or arrange a group visit on one of our open days, you’ll find phone numbers on the back cover.

Art and Stories from Charlton Farm From what I’ve heard tonight, I’ve realised how full of love, laughter and happiness Charlton Farm is, such a special demonstration of kindness.

Children, families, volunteers, supporters and staff from Charlton Farm were invited to get creative and share what CHSW means to them through art, craft, poems, stories and music. Many wonderful creations were displayed for two open evenings in Nailsea and Bedminster, including a dress made from newspaper, a giant owl and even a shoe!

People came together to admire the art, share stories and listen to moving poems by the Care Team and family members. Guests also took part in musical activities with Music Therapist Adam, and were invited to share their own precious memories on our colourful driftwood memory tree.

We hope to hold more special open evenings in the future, so keep an eye out for upcoming events and ways to get involved.

P (and Q) for pretty fundraising: Pamper day

Penny jar

Photo competition

Quiz nights

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Finley’s mum, Louise, says Charlton Farm is a very special place the whole family can enjoy;

We feel lucky to have such a wonderful resource. Finley always makes new friends there, and I’m amazed at what he does in a day.

Special reasons for fundraising Our three hospices support more than 500 families, and each one has moving stories. We’re so grateful to the families who share their stories, to raise awareness of the work we do.

Kevin’s cycle challenge for his son Finley Finley visits Charlton Farm for respite breaks, with his mum Louise, dad Kevin and younger brother Jett. Finley has Sodium Channel Brain Disorder (SCN2A), an extremely rare genetic condition which means he is unable to sit up, walk, talk, eat or drink unaided and needs 24 hour care. The condition has left him with uncontrollable epilepsy and very poor eyesight.

In October 2018, Kevin joined England and Somerset cricketing legend Marcus Trescothick for an epic 324 mile, 5 day cycle from Keynsham to St Austell, visiting all three CHSW hospices. They were joined by around 30 cyclists at various times during the challenge.

At the end of the week, Kevin thanked all those who had taken part, saying what he thought Finley would say if he could talk: Due to my condition, I can’t play football or snooker with Daddy, I can’t dance with Mummy or play trains with my brother, but don’t feel sad for me. My hospice is where I get to be an equal. There are no activities I can’t do there. I can enjoy the swings with Mummy pushing me and my brother next to me. I can go swimming with my family. I have lots of friends there who are just like me. By taking on this challenge, you are giving me access to such an amazing experience which I know Mummy, Daddy and Jett will treasure forever, even when I’m gone. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Fancy your own cycle challenge?

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Take a look at our annual 205 mile Ride for Precious Lives, visit www. chsw.org.uk/ride

R for radical fundraising: Raffle

Rainbow Run

Regular donation

Ride for Precious Lives

Emma’s marathon for Imogen

Virginie runs to say thank you to CHSW

By the time Emma’s first daughter, Imogen, was six months old, she had been diagnosed with micro-encephaly and polymorphic epilepsy, was unable to swallow and blind. She and her family were referred to Little Bridge House for support and respite, and visited for the next four years. Sadly, Imogen died in hospital in March 2016, and she was brought to our special Starborn room so the family could say goodbye in the place she loved most.

Inspired by the care she and her family received from CHSW, Emma ran the London Marathon in 2018, raising a fantastic £8,016 to help us continue to support families like hers. She said:

The London Marathon was something I never thought I would achieve, but I wanted to raise as much as I could for the charity that gave so much to our family. I wear my CHSW running vest with pride but especially when I wore it for the marathon.

Take on a challenge in 2019...

The Bath Half takes place in March 2019, and CHSW is delighted to be the event’s Local Charity of the Year, with more than 100 entrants raising money on our behalf.

Among the runners is Virginie, from Bath, who visits Charlton Farm with her eight year old son Sebastien and six year old daughter Emilie.

Sebastien was diagnosed at an early age with Global Developmental Delay and Lennox Gastaut Syndrome, meaning he is unable to sit unaided, walk or talk, has frequent seizures, and takes daily medication.

Running the Bath Half is such a little contribution compared to what CHSW do for us. I can only thank the Charlton Farm Team as I know they are there to share our journey.

From half marathons to full marathons, skydives to abseils, visit www.chsw.org.uk/events

S for super fundraising: Silent auction

Skydive

Sponsored silence

Sweepstake

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Your print on our future

Get involved in 2019

By pledging to leave a gift in your Will to CHSW, you become a vital part of our future. Legacies help us to sustain and improve our current service. They also help us develop new services and to find new ways to make the most of short and precious lives.

Your support means the world to us, and to the families who rely on CHSW for respite, emergency, palliative and end of life care.

Thanks to you, we can be here 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year, helping local families.

If you have planned to leave us a gift of any size, we would love to hear from you. Telling us about your decision now means we can plan for the future and keep you updated on how your intended gift could support our work and the families we care for.

Come and meet us and say hello!

A gift of £100 could help fund Art Therapy activities A gift of £1,000 could help us provide a very special remembrance event for bereaved families

A gift of £10,000 could help towards the cost of providing specially adapted transport for children and their families

It’s rare we have the opportunity to say thank you to all the people who have supported us through their legacy in the past, and to those who have pledged a gift to us for the future.

Visit www.chsw.org.uk/legacy for more information or contact our Legacy and Remembrance Officer, Rob Emery on 01271 325 270

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T for terrific fundraising: Tea party

It could be just you, a small group of friends or your entire company, we’d be delighted to see you at one of our open days. We understand you may be nervous about visiting and unsure of what to expect, but our experienced tour guides will make you welcome. There are no planned family stays during these days, so although you won’t hear the usual noise and laughter it will give you a brilliant insight.

We know once you see inside our incredible havens any reservations soon disappear.

Tombola

Treasure hunt

To find out more information or book a place at an open day, visit www.chsw.org.uk/open

Tuck shop

Tug-of-war

Consider a regular donation

Meet our Trustee: Karen Rogers

A monthly donation means we have a reliable income, helping us to plan ahead and ensure our care for families across the South West continues. Contributing just £3 per month helps us bring our hospices to life with the sound of joy and laughter, visit www.chsw.org.uk/regular

Our board of Trustees are collectively responsible for overall governance and strategic direction of CHSW, and to ensure the money we and our supporters raise is used in the best possible way. Our 12 Trustees are all volunteers, who bring very specific skills and experience to our organisation.

Take part in our Summer raffle

Karen Rogers became a trustee of CHSW in 2015, having previously taught in London and Devon, before becoming Headteacher at Lampard Special School in Barnstaple in 2007.

A great way to support our work, and by taking part you will be in with a chance to win £3,000 too! Every ticket you buy or sell helps us to provide vital support for families facing an uncertain future. Find out more at www.chsw.org.uk/summerraffle

Sign up to an event in 2019!

Our 2019 calendar is full of events to suit everyone!

Run, jump, walk, cycle, swim, abseil, hike, skydive, eat, bake...

From large events like Rainbow Run, Ride for Precious Lives, Abseil, overseas challenges and marathons, to smaller, local events organised by supporters and Friends Groups. The list is endless and you’ll find them at www.chsw.org.uk/events

UVW for ultimate fundraising: Used stamps

Walk

Karen explained how diverse the trustees’ experience is: “We come from different backgrounds: public sector, private sector, health, education, finance, HR, marketing and academia, to name a few. This is a real strength as we bring different perspectives to discussions and decision making. We also support fundraising events and spend time in the three hospices, meeting children, families and staff, and hearing about their experiences first hand.”

Wacky Wardrobe

I am very proud to be part of this amazing charity, and encourage anyone interested in volunteering with CHSW to get in touch; I promise you will make some good friends and make a real difference to children and families.

Workplace fundraising

Page 19

Play today

Cash prizes to be won every Friday!

and help to raise a smile for our children and families and

,

,

Bonus rollover! up to

£10,000

The weekly draw takes place every Friday, with a top prize of £1,000 and 14 other regular cash prizes!

Plus, the chance to win our bonus rollover, and additional £200 per week rollover, which can grow to a maximum of £10,000!

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*Calls charged at standard national rate

Page 20

XYZ for ‘xtra fundraising: X Factor talent show

Yoga marathon

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Find out more call our lottery hotline 08456 888 911* or visit www.chsw.org.uk/lottery

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Young Ambassadors

Zumba-thon

Playing is easy A single play costs just £1 each week (£4.34 per month) and you can play up to five times per week.

To play: Complete the form and send us a cheque or set up a standing order

or

Purchase one-off play tickets at our CHSW shops

or

Sign up online: www.chsw.org.uk/lottery Only persons aged 18 years or over and resident in Great Britain are eligible to play the CHSW Lottery.

Join our Raise a Smile Weekly L ttery Simply complete the form below and overleaf in BLOCK CAPITALS and return to: CHSW Lottery, Little Bridge House, Redlands Road, Fremington, Barnstaple, Devon EX31 2PZ

How would you like to pay?

Standing order - complete option 1, sign and date

or

Regular cheque - complete option 2, sign and date

Option 1: Standing order Please tick entries per week below.

1 entry per week

or

2 entries per week

or

3 entries per week

or

4 entries per week

or

5 entries per week

£4.34 monthly

£8.68 monthly

£13.02 monthly

£17.36 monthly

£21.70 monthly

£13 quarterly

£26 quarterly

£39 quarterly

£52 quarterly

£65 quarterly

£26 six monthly

£52 six monthly

£78 six monthly

£104 six monthly

£130 six monthly

£52 annually

£104 annually

£156 annually

£208 annually

£260 annually

Bank name: Name(s) of account holder(s): Bank sort code:

NOTE TO BANK Please use the ref no indicated

Bank account no:

OFFICE USE ONLY Ref no:

Standing order to y y y y until further notice m m d d start ASAP or from: Please pay: HSBC PLC Sort code: 40-14-13 Account no: 72190680 Crediting: CHSW Lottery

The CHSW Raise a Smile Weekly Lottery (CHSW Lottery) is regulated under the Gambling Act 2005 and licensed by the Gambling Commission, www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk The CHSW Lottery is promoted by Children’s Hospice South West (Registered Charity No 1003314), Little Bridge House, Redlands Road, Fremington, Barnstaple, Devon EX31 2PZ, 08456 888 911, lottery@chsw.org.uk. The responsible person for the CHSW Lottery is Simon Bird.

Full T&Cs can be found at www.chsw.org.uk/lotteryterms

Option 2: Regular cheque Please tick entries per week below. Minimum six monthly sign up required.

1 entry per week

or

£52 annually

2 entries per week

or

3 entries per week

or

4 entries per week

or

£78 six monthly

£104 six monthly

£130 six monthly

£104 annually

£156 annually

£208 annually

£260 annually

Please enclose a cheque made payable to: CHSW

Purchaser’s signature:

5 entries per week

£52 six monthly

Date:

Please complete your personal details overleaf

Our Raise a Smile Weekly Lottery Your details Title:

I confirm I am aged 18 years or over and resident in Great Britain

First name:

Surname:

Home address:

Daytime tel no: Postcode:

www.chsw.org.uk

Email:

enquiries@chsw.org.uk

We take your privacy seriously. We will store your details securely on our database(s) and we will only use your personal information to provide the services you have requested from us. We will never share your details with third parties for marketing purposes.

Children’s Hospice South West would like to keep you updated with news about our hospices, fundraising activities and campaigns and other ways you can help make a difference to short and precious lives. Please let us know below, if and how you would like us to contact you. If you change your mind in the future, you can opt out at any time.

Please confirm if you are happy for us to contact you by: Post:

Yes please

No thank you

Email: Yes please No thank you If yes, please make sure you have provided your email address above Telephone: Yes please No thank you If yes, please make sure you have provided your daytime tel no above For more information about how we use your personal details, please see our Privacy Policy www.chsw.org.uk/privacy or call 01271 325 270

I don't ever win anything, so it was a really nice surprise when the hospice confirmed the news!

Redlands Road, Fremington, Barnstaple, Devon EX31 2PZ 01271 325 270

Charlton Drive, Wraxall, North Somerset BS48 1PE 01275 866 600

Porthpean Road, Porthpean, St Austell, Cornwall PL26 6AZ 01726 871 800

Tell your friends and family about us!

We need to raise around ÂŁ10 million every year to keep our hospices open, and we know local support is vital to help us reach this target. You can help by telling friends and family about us; they can sign up to receive this newsletter at www.chsw.org.uk/preferences or by calling 01271 325 270, and join CHSW in helping families across the South West.