Supporters of Hospiscare’s vital work in East Devon are gearing up to unleash their fundraising energies again as communities emerge from lockdown.
Honiton’s prolific Hospiscare Support Group are manning a fundraising stall in the town’s Lace Walk on Thursday, April 22, from 9am till noon.
A selection of locally made garden plant display furniture, homemade cakes, marmalade chutney, plants and other items of interest will be on offer as well as a raffle.
In Axminster, Hospiscare fundraisers are staging a cake stall at the home of Axminster Town Football Club in Tiger Way on Saturday, June 5, from 10am to 12.30pm.
Despite the difficulties of life in lockdown, the fundraising has continued and charity managers paid tribute this week to groups and individuals who have been doing their bit to help Hospiscare maintain their important work.
The charity said a big thank-you to Dawn Enticott and her children Billy, Charlotte and Emily for organising The Great Easter Egg Hunt in Honiton.
All of the children – and adults – had a fantastic time over the Easter holidays and prizes were even delivered by the Easter Bunny himself.
A Hospiscare spokesman said: “Thank you to everyone who took part in and supported the event, including the following local businesses who took part: The Chippee, Ali Kebabs, RKL Tools and Hardware, The Honiton Wine Bar, Leesons, Natural Beauty by Bev, L’Reigns Hair Salon, Pavot Knitwear, Complete Meats, Hunters Hair and Beauty, Warrens Bakery, Honiton Chiropractor, Hospiscare Shop Honiton, The Happy Humbug, The Sweet Den and Planet Sal.
“Thank you also to Duncan Sheridan-Shaw from Tesco in Honiton for donating nearly 60 Easter Eggs to our nurses and doctors.”
Hospiscare leaders also sent out a thank-you to the trusts and foundations who have supported them in the last 12 months.
A spokesman said: “Donations from trusts and foundations have been absolutely critical to our hospice throughout 2020. Last year more than ever, there was a need to offer home-based, holistic care to people living with terminal illnesses and donations from trusts and foundations have been fundamental to maintaining patient and family welfare.
“With the majority of our events and community opportunities placed on hold due to the pandemic, donations from trusts and foundations have been even more important this past year. In a time where staying connected has been vital, we have been able to receive support from local annual funders, as well as make links with new trusts in our community and further afield.
“The amazing trusts and foundations that have supported us in the past year have been key in ensuring our doors remain open and we have been able to support some of the most vulnerable people in our community during this pandemic.
“Thanks to these donations, we have been able to fund a number of important projects. The funding has been used on our ward to support Covid-19 preparations, from buying PPE and wipes to refurbishing Searle House in Exeter to adapt to the safety measures required. This funding has also been used to support our community nurse specialists and to buy headsets and webcam technology for virtual patient consultations. The funding has also been key in supporting our bereavement listening service.
“We would like to send a special thank you to Devon Community Foundation and Devon County Council who have given us multiple donations in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
“This year, throughout incredible difficulty, we have seen the bringing together of both local and national communities to really work together and offer helping hands to those in need. We would like to thank local organisations such as Western Power Distribution and The Exeter Chiefs Foundation, as well as Cranbrook and Honiton Town Council, for encouraging a sense of local community.”