news For supporters and friends of North Devon Hospice

Autumn / Winter 2012

Issue 38

look inside for

Fundraising mission

Garden sculpture

Relaxed and refreshed

A Christmas wish

being there for all the family

Lisa with her husband and 4 daughters

The amazing cupcakes Lisa and her daughters have made and sold at the hospice to raise money

Lisa (left) with daughter Charlotte (right)

North Devon Hospice wrist bands which Lisa has had made

Mum and Daughter Lisa Bousted and her daughter Charlotte turn their experiences into a very special fundraising mission. Lisa has seen some tough challenges come her way in life, but these have only inspired her to put her energy towards helping others who are in a similar situation. “I lost my mum to cancer in 2006. She passed away whilst staying on the hospice’s Bedded Unit. When my mum was poorly, the care and support they gave her was incredible; nothing was too much trouble and they made sure that the whole family was looked after too. Cancer has affected me a lot in life, I’ve lost my mum and I’ve also survived cancer twice. I know just how much illness touches families, so having somewhere like the hospice to provide the care they do is absolutely vital.”

to make the summit, not only because it will push us to the limit but because the sponsorship we raise will help the nurses do what they do so well...

which has seen Lisa and her daughters doing lots of fundraising from selling cup cakes to the staff and volunteers at Deer Park to selling wristbands throughout the community. “My daughter Charlotte and I are trekking Kilimanjaro next year to raise money for the hospice. We’re both really determined to make the summit, not only because it will push us to the limit but because the sponsorship we raise will help the nurses do what they do so well, and that’s caring for local people. I know that every penny will really help other people who are going to walk in my shoes.”

Lisa has taken her personal experiences and turned them into years of heartfelt support for the charity. She has organised sponsored swims through her swim school, she’s taken part in the much loved Nightwalk and now she has signed up to take on one of our overseas challenges

“We are really looking forward to the trip and are training hard to make sure we’re fit and ready. For me, being at the summit, I will feel as though I’m that little bit closer to heaven and closer to my mum. It will be a very special moment.”

“We’re both really determined “

www.northdevonhospice.org.uk

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being there for all the family

Garden Sculpture Workshop E

arlier this year patients, carers, volunteers and staff all contributed to a unique art project at North Devon Hospice. Dozens of wooden sticks were painted with individual designs, before being turned into a sculpture in the hospice gardens. It was a highly enjoyable day and a great way for patients to be creative, in a supportive environment. Thanks to one of our creative volunteers Jo who organised this therapeutic and thoroughly enjoyable experience. All who were part of this fantastically unique day will enjoy the fruits of their labour along with many others when visiting the gardens.

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It was a very relaxing thing for me to do, although the room was very full with people painting it was so quiet and relaxing

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This is such a nice way of creating something we have all played a part in. Just what art should be about, bringing us together.

Interested in Volunteering? There are plenty of ways to get involved. Jo drew on her creativity but we’ve got people putting their creative flair to use in our shops. Some people marshal at events like Santa Fun Run and Nightwalk, others are trained counsellors. If you would like to know more about volunteering, we would love to hear from you. For an informal chat, please contact Alison Clark on 01271 347227 or email alisonclark@northdevonhospice.org.uk

www.northdevonhospice.org.uk

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being there for all the family

Please make a donation to our

Christmas Wish £5

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£5 could provide Christmas dinner for a patient who is being cared for on our Bedded Unit on Christmas Day

Christmas Day in the hospice was the last time we were together as a family; Jim died that night. A patient’s loved one

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£10

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£10 could help us to transport patients who need care and support from the hospice over the Christmas period

I haven’t been able to drive for some time now because of on-going treatment. The hospice drivers are so kind and understanding. A patient

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£25

£25 could provide different types of emotional support for children whose parents have a life-limiting illness

A thank you letter from a child who had one to one support with one of our counsellors

Please show your support to our patients and their families this Christmas. We don’t normally ask but like so many smaller charities, we too have been affected by the recession in these tough times.

£50

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£50 could help one of our Community Nurse Specialists provide care for someone in their own home one day this Christmas

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I always feel better in myself when you have visited me.

Maureen Rogers and family with Community Nurse Specialist Mary Brooks

£100

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£100 could help a Nurse provide care to patients on our Bedded Unit for one night this Christmas

I am going to be working overnight this Christmas Eve. But it’s not a hardship for me, because I get to spend time with amazing people who really need our support. Wendy Rew, Bedded Unit Nurse (left) with Sharon Ramwell

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Please donate *

Please return cheques made payable to North Devon Hospice to: North Devon Hospice, Deer Park, Newport, Barnstaple, North Devon, EX32 0HU

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Donate over the phone by calling Gerard on 01271 347224 or Azey on 01271 347231 Donate online at www.northdevonhospice.org.uk

Complementary Therapies Juggling work, home life and two children keeps Claire Hunter very busy indeed. She is also coping with treatment for cancer, which has affected her life significantly.

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n an effort to not let the illness overwhelm her life, Claire has been able to turn to North Devon Hospice and in particular, our Complementary Therapy service. Benefitting from such treatments as aromatherapy, massage, reiki and reflexology, Claire has been able to relax and it has even helped her get a good night’s sleep. “I wasn’t sleeping at all, which I think was mainly a side effect of the chemotherapy, but now I sleep well.” she said. “The breathing and visualisation has helped me relax and forget about the cancer and treatment for a while and focus on me. I have managed to carry on working full-time while I have had chemotherapy, and I have two children so I have a really busy life. It is nice for me to have that little window of time where I can think of nothing and be nurtured.”

Beth Kelso is the Complementary Therapy Team Leader at the hospice, and she said that Claire was one of many local people who have benefitted from the service. “We can see up to 30 people each week for Complementary Therapy sessions, and it can help people get relaxed and refreshed. When coping with a life-limiting illness, that can make a world of difference to their general well-being. I have loved getting to know Claire and she is truly an amazing woman. She is so bright and bubbly, but I think she really appreciates the time she spends at the hospice, where she doesn’t have to think of anybody else. If we can create that sanctuary for local people then that is fantastic.” With thanks to Andrea Foster. Photo courtesy of North Devon Journal.

W

endy Harrison is an Instow based graphic designer and the lady behind the loveable online shop, Letterfest.

“When I heard the hospice needs to raise around £4 million every year to keep caring for people, I knew I wanted to offer my support.” Wendy is kindly making an annual donation to help fund our local hospice care. She is also giving you, as a hospice supporter a unique code so you can benefit from a 20% discount on any online purchase you make at Letterfest.

www.letterfest.com

20%

OFF

#

Don’t delay in placing your order before the Christmas rush begins because Wendy and the team get so busy every festive season they have to close for orders mid December… that’s how good they are!

PROMOTION CODE:

NDH20

Go to www.letterfest.com to order and enter code at checkout

www.northdevonhospice.org.uk

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being there for all the family

Nisa Local, in Barnstaple, recently presented the hospice with a cheque for £416. This was made up of monies from collection tins placed at the tills, as well as a kind donation from the company itself.

South Molton Friends Group held an Open Gardens event in August, inviting friends, family and neighbours. The day raised £529

Russell Johns is about to undertake an epic sponsored motorbike ride. He will start in Barnstaple and travel across two continents, finishing in Cape Town two months later. He hopes to raise £25,000 for North Devon Hospice and you can sponsor him by visiting www.hospiceafricanadventure.co.uk

Simon Oliver is the amazing driving force behind the North Devon marathon. This event has really taken off, with more than 700 runners from across the country taking part. This year, it raised an incredible £30,000!

North Devon Homes have kindly be donated a new van, which will e pic hos of ts sor used for all activities, including promoting our successful Lottery Club.

Thank you! It takes a huge effort from individuals, groups and local companies to raise the funds needed to run our hospice services every year. If it wasn’t for the support of the North Devon community, we wouldn’t be able to provide our specialist care to local patients and families.

Des and Bridget Paul, from Braunton, really show that charity begins at home. They collected all their copper coins in a home collection box, and in no time at all it amounted to a donation of £49. With Gift Aid this went up to £61. If you would like a home collection box, please call our fundraising team on 01271 347204.

Angela’s first year As Angela Webb celebrates her 1st anniversary of chairing North Devon Hospice’s Board of Irustees and her 7th year as a valued volunteer, we take a glimpse into what that year has been like. Tell us about the Board of Trustees and what you do? “Trustees, who are volunteers, act as guardians for the whole charity, making sure the different pieces of the puzzle fit together as they should. We are responsible for all the things we know are necessary but things that aren’t so visible. For example, outlining the strategy, aims and objectives, ensuring there is good governance, examining the legal and financial regulations to make sure we comply with Charity and Company law. It’s so varied and we’re fortunate to have a group of people on the Board of Trustees who are very dedicated and passionate about the charity. They all help to shape and develop our future services and at the same time, make sure our care remains at the highest standard.” What have you been most proud of in your first year? “We were visited by the Care Quality Commission, an independent body who monitor standards of care across the whole country. After their unannounced visit the feedback they gave us was exemplary. They praised the quality of care given and the procedures we had in place to make sure we are always improving. We met their criteria in every way and were given 100% compliance; the report made for heart-warming reading.” Any words after your 1st year? “I have thoroughly enjoyed my first year as Chair of Trustees, it is not always straight forward or easy but it is an immensely privileged position, especially as North Devon Hospice is so loved throughout the community. During this year our care has been praised, our finances have been very well managed, our governance has been recognised nationally and we have found exciting new ways to raise funds. Thank you to all of you for playing a part in that, because whatever you do, the difference you make can be felt by every single person who benefits from our care.” www.northdevonhospice.org.uk

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being there for all the family

Visit our new online card shop... With every purchase ÂŁ1 is donated to North Devon Hospice

Deer Park Sunset, Barnstaple Deer Park Roses

Tarr Steps, Exmoor

Appledore, Peter Hendrie

www.hospicecards.co.uk

Contact us being there for all the family Registered Charity No. 286554

North Devon Hospice, Deer Park, Barnstaple, North Devon, EX32 0HU Tel: 01271 344248 info@northdevonhospice.org.uk www.northdevonhospice.org.uk