Exeter’s Gemma Wensley is planning the holiday of a lifetime - an astonishing trip for a woman who a few years ago was planning her funeral.
The popular city nurse is celebrating surviving six years since her brain tumour terminal diagnosis. Five years of gruelling chemotherapy seems to have worked and Gemma is now well enough and can just about afford the insurance to holiday in Dubai, Australia and New Zealand where she will be visiting friends.
“My brain tumour is still inoperable but I’m still here and I feel confident that I am going to live longer, “said Gemma. “...
Gemma marched into the hospice reception yesterday.
It was a definite march, not an amble or a saunter, a march like soldier with the air of “let’s crack on and get things done.” Having last seen her in March I was expecting a warm greeting and a good long catch up – no chance.
This was a woman on a mission.
Gemma is our miracle Hospiscare patient who is much loved by staff and volunteers. Despite being diagnosed with a brain tumour six years ago Gemma is still with us, but as a volunteer fundraiser rather than a patient. The chemotherapy worked!
Devon and Cornwall Police Pipes and Drums will be performing in Exeter City Centre on Saturday 28th November.
The band will be playing for Hospiscare's Christmas Fair and then doing a set outside Exeter Cathedral.
The band will be meeting in Mary Arches car park for a quick tune up and then heading up to The Guildhall where we're playing for Hospiscare first.
The Christmas Fair starts at 10.30am with our first session at 11am. We'll then be playing at various interval with our final performance for Hospiscare at 1pm.
Standing on a chair taking pictures is not ideal, but when the local newspaper photographers turn out in force to an official event its best you give them the front row.
A media frenzy in Devon, well yes, sort of. Press photographers were eagerly snapping Exeter’s sporting heroine Jo Pavey as she opened our new £1.2m day hospice in Honiton.
Flashbulbs were going off like crazy, watched by patients, supporters and staff who loved being part of the action. Being the Hospiscare press officer is more than balancing on a chair taking photographs, I also had to balance a pad and...
A golf day, organised by the Mears Ltd - Exeter Branch part of Mears Group PLC, has raised £2,742 for us. Eighteen teams took part in the Mears Ltd South West Regional Golf Day which was held at Woodbury Park.
The day was organised by Philip Taverner, Mears Ltd general manager for Devon and Cornwall. The £5,000 cash prize for a hole in one on the 18th offered by Mears Ltd wasn’t won, although two golfers did get very close! The winning team was the team entered by Philip Bruford of PJ Bruford Decorating Ltd and the day ended with a separate dinner and dance.
Olympian Jo Pavey, MBE, officially opened our new £1.2m Kings House Day Hospice in Honiton today.
Jo, who lives locally said: "I am deeply honoured to be asked to open this fantastic building in the town where I was born.
"It’s wonderful that such great care is available to local patients and their families. It’s really inspiring to see all the nurses here in this day hospice.
"Congratulations to everybody, all the staff, volunteers and fundraises from the community for all their hard work. It’s going to be such a benefit.
Sunshine, palm trees, balmy temperatures. Aah the South of France.
Yes, finally Hospiscare has gone international!
Oh dear, sorry folks not quite. Businessman Neil Chapman was showing me glamorous pictures of the Cannes Tennis Tournament which he’s been organising for the past 10 years. It’s a bit of fun and raises funds for charities, like us.
Neil develops and leases outlet centres across Europe and every year he joins thousands of developers, retailers and agents who attend the MAPIC International Retail Property Market Conference in Cannes.
Exeter student Paige Furzer had a lovely surprise when she started volunteering for us here at Hospiscare.
She discovered her Great Nan was the first patient at Hospiscare’s Exeter hospice and even met the Duchess of Kent who opened the hospice in 1992.
Paige, 19, who is studying journalism at Exeter College, said: “It’s a quite amazing coincidence. I’m thrilled to be helping the charity which provided so much support and comfort to my Great Nan and our family.
"I had no idea my Great Nan, Doris Quick was the first patient. I’m told there used to be a picture of her...
Pre-loved sale at Newton Abbot With Christmas just around the corner, there is an opportunity to support Hospiscare and find a bargain at the ‘Pre-Loved’ sale at Newton Abbot Racecourse on Saturday 14th November.
Hosted by the racecourse’s Conference and Events Manager, Sylvia Fairchild, the event will look to raise funds for Hospiscare to help them continue their amazing work, caring for those who are terminally ill in Exeter and across Mid Devon.
The ‘Pre-Loved’ sale is one of a number of fundraising events organised by Sylvia to raise money for the charity. She is also...
