Hospice

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...

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...

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...

This Spring, Hospiscare is encouraging people to get their affairs in order and help to support their local end of life care services at the same time.

17 different solicitors across Exeter, Mid and East Devon will be generously giving their time and expertise so that you can have your Will prepared or updated. Instead of paying the usual solicitor’s fee, you can instead make an appropriate donation to Hospiscare at your appointment.

In previous years Hospiscare’s Will Fortnight has been the incentive and encouragement many people have needed to get their Will made or...

“My two daughters were only nine and eleven years old when I was diagnosed with a brain tumour,” says Simon Dyke, 51 from Exeter, “So they have walked this path for a long time.

“It was 2006, I was 40 years old and we were on a family holiday in France when I first got sick. I came straight back to the UK and was diagnosed with a high grade glioma – a brain tumour.”

Simon Dyke, a former church minister, lived in London where he received radiotherapy, surgeries to reduce the tumour and numerous chemotherapy sessions. But in 2017 when he was told there were no treatment...

Ladies across the South Devon will join Barbara the sheep and her farmyard friends on Saturday 7 July for the baa-rilliant ladies-only Rowcroft Sleep Walk charity event. The team at Exeter-based design agency, Drive Creative Studio, has supported Rowcroft Hospice for eight years with the branding, design, advertising and promotional materials for the Sleep Walk. This year, as well as designing and illustrating the 2018 Sleep Walk materials, Drive Creative Studio is also showing support by becoming an official sponsor of the event. Team members of Drive have been working with Rowcroft since...

Christopher Hunt, 34, from Dartmouth has been unemployed for an extended period of time after being diagnosed with stomach cancer. After receiving the all clear, Christopher was keen to get back into the work place.

Christopher explains, “My experience with cancer has made me think more seriously about my life. It has completely changed my outlook and perspective. I have a completely different attitude on goals and what I want to do with my life. I knew I wanted to return to work but with no usable references or experience I struggled to find employment.

“I decided that...

Hundreds of men braved the plunging temperatures and snow flurries on Saturday to step it out in Hospiscare’s Men’s Walk 2018. Some 900 men – 250 more than last year – signed up for the challenge, making it Hospiscare’s most successful Men’s Walk ever.

Temperatures may have been low but spirits were high as the walkers set off from the Double Locks pub, while along the route they were buoyed by the enthusiastic support and encouragement of a team of stalwart volunteers. On return to the pub they settled down with a pasty and a pint to watch Ireland beat England to achieve the grand...

Women and girls we have a date for your diaries! Saturday 7th July sees the return of the annual Hospiscare Twilight Walk . This year’s theme is “Pink Fizz”, so dig out all things pink to wear and there will be a glass of 'fizz' waiting for you on your return. The walk is once again kindly sponsored by Western Power Distribution.

The sponsored walk starts from The Maer, Exmouth and both routes take in stunning views of the coast. There will be entertainment at the start and along the route, and a well-deserved glass of 'fizz', a bacon sandwich and a cuppa at the end.

All...