www.chsw.org.uk

Registered Charity No. 1003314

NEWSLETTER

Spring 2015 Alfie’s baked bean

bath.

Why am I a children’s

nurse?

Join our jigsaw puzzle.

Daisy-Mae enjoying the spring daffodils at Little Bridge House

You can also view this newsletter online at:

www.chsw.org.uk/newsletters

Welcome to our first newsletter of 2015!In this edition you will find news from our three Hospices, an exciting update on the important growth of our Retail Team, as well as events and fundraising stories from our inspirational army of supporters, with whom we could not do without.

Many of you will know that this year we will celebrate 20 years since Little Bridge House opened its doors to our first children and families and for me, a time to reflect on the journey we have travelled together and the massive achievements that have been made. Wow, where did that time go?

I have also been privileged to receive an MBE for services to children’s palliative care, which is both an honour and extremely humbling. My reason for mentioning this, is to enable me to say a heartfelt thanks for all the kind and encouraging words that have been sent to me in cards, emails and dare I say, Facebook messages - am I really ‘getting with the times’?

So, I face 2015 with anticipation and high hopes for another fulfilling year providing specialist care to the life-limited children of the South West

and a safe haven for their families who face the most difficult road imaginable and without you, our supporters, we could not be here for them.

Whether you run, walk, abseil, knit, hold coffee mornings or play our lottery, each and every gift is much appreciated. So please, however you do it, keep making a difference and keep fundraising!

Thank you also to all those people who make a regular donation to CHSW throughout the year. Committed giving helps to give stability

to our income, come rain or shine, which is a huge benefit.

I hope the New Year brings joy and happiness to you all and I look forward to journeying with you over the coming months.

With my sincere thanks and best wishes,

Eddie Farwell MBE Co-Founder & Chief Executive

Pass it on!

When you have finished reading our newsletter, please share it with your family and friends.

Be part of our jigsaw puzzle

It’s that time again... our summer raffle tickets are on sale!

This is an easy way for you to support us, whilst also being in with a chance of winning our top prize of £5,000 - it really is a win win!

Need more tickets? Please contact your local hospice or: www.chsw.org.uk/raffles

Can I sell these? Yes please do!

Shall I return any unused tickets? No, please recycle them!

This edition

Summer raffle

P6 Corporate - £50 challenge and supporter stories

P4 Fundraising in our communities

P8 Retail news

P10 Fundraising in our communities

P12 Alfie’s baked bean bath

P2 Precious time as a family

P14 Challenge yourself in 2015

P13 Why am I a children’s nurse?

P11 Free Will writing scheme

P17 A regular gift

P16 Could you be a part of our jigsaw puzzle?

Every day, little moments of magic happen at our hospices: fun, laughter, care and precious memories are made for the whole family. All these are made possible thanks to the generosity of our supporters.

If you would like to become a regular giver and help support our service into the future, please complete the form at the back of this newsletter. Whether its £2 or £20, whatever you choose to give, a little change will make a big difference to short and precious lives.

Alternatively, you can make a donation and become a regular giver online. Please go to: www.chsw.org.uk/jigsaw

P 1

We

lcom

e | G

et involve

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Precious time as a familyAt our three children’s hospices we look after the whole family, not just the poorly child. Your support means those little things we do for the family make a big difference.

Becki comes to us for planned short breaks with her twins Sophia and Laila and their sister Olivia.

When we are staying here, Sophia is supported by the Care Team and both Laila and Olivia are looked after by the Sibling Team. Olivia in particular absolutely loves it and the whole Sibling Team is fantastic. When we’re at home, if I take Olivia out for the day, Sophia of course has to come too and my focus still has to be on her. A family outing has to be put on pause because I’ll have to stop to give her meds or stop for milk, but when Olivia goes out with the siblings, she can just be a child again. They offer a sense of normality that other people take for granted.

“I come for a rest and a break, but at the same time, Sophia isn’t whisked away by the care team - she’s a part of everything we do. I enjoy activities that most people get to do every day with their children, but I just can’t because I need to look after Sophia. At the hospice I can play, have fun and focus on Olivia and Laila, knowing a nurse is concentrating on Sophia.

It’s the little things which make a big

difference.

P 2

It’s the little things that make a big difference: I get to sleep all through the night for a change

and mealtimes are together as a family.

Dinner at home for us is when the girls want it and I’m holding Sophia, 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 around the table as a family. That time means such a lot to me.

See how your donations make a difference, visit us on an open day:

www.chsw.org.uk/open

Sophia is supported by the Care Team and

both Laila and Olivia are looked after by the Sibling Team.

P 3

Prec

ious time

as a

fam

ily

Fundraising in our communities

Rai

sed

over

£1,000

Thank y uBrian’s Boxing Day swim at Sidmouth!

Raise

d £450...

Thank y uDartmouth Rotary Club

... and funded

three nebulisers at

Little Bridge House

Tracy Freame, Head of Care at Little Bridge House

The money is so gratefully received as it means we can update our nebulisers that we use for the children. The nebulisers allow us to give, if needed, vital medication to help with their breathing which is really important as common coughs and colds can make the children we see here at Little Bridge House that much more poorly.

R aised £500

Thank y uChloe Tamplin

Raise

d £1,600

Thank y uGraham and Tracey Walton

Raised £1,200

Thank y uClifton College

P 4

Amazing place, a place I thought I’d never ever need. The care team are wonderful and do an absolutely amazing job in making sure the whole family benefit.

An uplifting, happy, fun place that words cannot describe. I am truly grateful for all the help and respite the hospice give to me and my children.

Charlton farm, an amazing place thank you so much for all your help

and support through all the hard times and for all the good times too.

Love you all.

The children’s hospice is an amazing place and I’m glad Charlton Farm was a place we said goodbye to our brave boy.

Your support helps us provide care each and every day of the year...

Little Bridge House is an amazing place. Somewhere where my family can really, really relax. Without Children’s Hospice South West, my family would not be complete, therefore we owe them EVERYTHING!

A wonderful place; don’t know what we would do without it.

P 5

Fundra

ising in our c

omm

unities

The £50 challenge... are you in?

Could you and your colleagues put your business skills and entrepreneurial creativity to the test by taking on The £50 Challenge?

We provide a £50 start-up investment then it’s over to you and your team to grow that money into as much as possible over three months.

Use your business brain and money making acumen, while encouraging creative-thinking and team building to raise funds for CHSW.

To learn more about how to get involved, get in touch with your local Corporate Partnerships Fundraiser or visit: www.chsw.org.uk/the50challenge

This exciting initiative is supported by Deborah Meaden, Dragon’s Den investor and successful businesswoman.

To be successful in this challenge, you’ll have to be innovative and have the confidence to re-invest. Get into the minds of your target audience and give them what they want. Start off small and grow your investment to turn a profit that will really make a difference to life-limited children in our community.

www.chsw.org.uk/the50challenge P 6

• HAWKINS MOTORS •Ironman team gear up

We are delighted that a team from Hawkins Motors, Cornwall has chosen to take on the Ironman 70.3 UK event at Wimbleball for CHSW. Not only are they training hard for the mammoth challenge in June, but this inspiring three man team are completely driven in their fundraising too! Their recent car wash and coffee morning was a huge success and has made a dent in their fundraising target - they raised £240 and washed 25 cars in just two hours - well done!

Supporter stories

• ASHFORDS SOLICITORS •£50 Challenge

A business-wide £50 Challenge rounded off an incredible year of fundraising in December. As events got underway early in 2014, the firm’s six offices soon smashed their initial target of £15,000. By holding events including skydives, abseils, marathons, quizzes, a two-man cycle from London to Exeter and a Mount Kilimanjaro climb, their incredible efforts have raised more than £62,000! Thank you to each and every staff member for their energy, enthusiasm and support.

• TEAM GE OIL & GAS •Three Hospice Challenge!

Each year a team from GE Oil & Gas take on a huge challenge in support of CHSW. From battling the Three Peaks in 60mph winds and torrential rain, to taking on Offa’s Dyke in scorching sunshine and 28 degree weather, the team has done it all! This year brings a brand new challenge, the Three Hospice Challenge. The team will be walking the almost 300 miles between our three children’s hospices and we wish them and their feet well!

There are many ways your company can get involved and fundraise for us. Our Corporate Partnerships Fundraisers are on hand to support your ideas and provide tips, ideas and tools. Whether you would like to organise your own fundraising event, take

on a challenge, or get involved with one of our initiatives, we are here to support you. Contact our Corporate Partnerships Teamto find out how your company can help: corporate@chsw.org.uk | www.chsw.org.uk/corporate

P 7

Fundra

ising w

ith colle

ag

ues - a

gre

at te

am

build

er

Your local Children’s Hospice South West shop relies on

donations of good quality items.

Every bag of stock that is donated to us makes a real difference and could be

worth up to £25.

Drop off your donations at any of

our shops and hospices or call 01271 325 270

to arrange a collection.

Brixham

Children’s area, GlastonburyGlastonbury

For Sale

“We couldn’t believe that it was actually a charity shop” is how one delighted customer described visiting our new style shop in Brixham (Devon) recently.

The contemporary and unique new style has been implemented in our other new shops; Bath, Glastonbury and Trowbridge. All of our existing shops will also be updated over the next few years.

Your new style shops

Barnstaple

BidefordTiverton Wellington

St. Austell

Tavistock

Exeter:City Shop

Fore Street

Plymouth:City Shop

Mutley PlainTotnes

BrixhamTruro:City Shop Little Steps

Helston

Wadebridge

Welc meour doors are open

Step inside your local CHSW shop

You can give us 25% extra at

no extra cost to

you when you

With 25 CHSW shops across the South West our big vision is to expand to 50 shops by 2017.

From Penzance (opening in spring) up to South Gloucestershire and West Wiltshire, if you know of an empty shop in your town contact us on 01271 325 270 or email us enquiries@chsw.org.uk

The future

of Retail

P 8

Your local CHSW shop relies on volunteers to help with a range of tasks.

By shopping with us you make a difference to families like Becki’s on page 2.

Find your nearest shop online: www.chsw.org.uk/shops

From designer clothing to a rocking horse we have

a diverse selection of items in our ebay shop. Recently,

a customer in the Netherlands purchased 15kg of stamps raising

an incredible £601 for us!

By donating your saved stamps (and any other items) you are helping to

raise vital funds to support our work.

DriverCollecting donations

and delivering to our shops.

Visual merchandiser Arranging window and shop displays.

Could you be our next volunteer?

Thank y uTo each of our shop volunteers. You help make a difference.

Back room assistant

Sorting, cleaning and pricing stock.

Shop fllor assistant

Serving customers and replenishing stock

Till operative

Serving customers with sale

transactions.

Nailsea

Portishead

Wellington

BathGlastonbury

Trowbridge

Honiton

Bristol:Park Street Southville

Little Steps

Welc meour doors are open

Step inside your local CHSW shop

P 9

Step

inside

your loca

l CH

SW shop

Fundraising in our community

Rai

sed

£17

,00

0

Thank y uKernow Campaigners

Raise

d £559

Thank y uSusan Bunt

Raised £85 0

Thank y uSt Philip and St James Church Ilfracome Pantomine group

Raise

d £280

Thank y uGrace Hart

Raise

d £4,500

Thank y uThe Festival Run

Rai

sed

£1,3

04

Thank y uMerry Harriers

Raise

d £9,033

Thank y uBristol Golf Club

Ladies Charity of the Year

P 10

Free Will writing schemeMany people don’t like to think about it, but one in three people die without making a valid Will. Thanks to McClure Solicitors and Gregg Latchams LLP Solicitors, Children’s Hospice South West is pleased to be able to make the process a little easier by offering a free Will writing service.

Making a Will is much easier than people realise; it’s an important part of your financial planning and ensures that your assets pass to those you would wish to benefit, on your death.

The scheme provides an ideal opportunity to review your existing arrangements and help safeguard your Estate.

If you would like to take part or for further details, please contact our Legacy and Remembrance Officer, Rob Emery on 01271 325 270 or email rob.emery@chsw.org.uk

You can also find information on our website: www.chsw.org.uk/wills

After Rob [Emery] took us on a tour of Little Harbour, we knew we wanted to support this very special charity and help raise awareness of such an important cause. We prepare your Will free of charge and there is no cost to Children’s Hospice South West. Of course, as a charity, the children’s hospice is always grateful for donations, however, there is no obligation to do so.

Trevor Wisker Estate Planner at McClure Solicitors

P 11

Com

munity fund

raising

| Free

Will w

riting sc

hem

e

Alfie Watts and his baked bean bath... My baby brother Charlie was just perfect. He had the cutest

little nose, and ten tiny toes. I loved giving him lots of kisses and cuddles... and pulling his hats off!! Charlie spent most

of his life at Charlton Farm Children’s Hospice, where I was able to stay too! But Charlie was very poorly and he passed away when he was just 19 days old. The staff

were so kind and caring, and looked after me, my mummy and my baby brother. We wouldn't have been able to get through such a heart

breaking time without them, they still come and see me now which is lovely!!

When I was at Charlton Farm all the staff were so kind to me, they played with me lots and helped me create very special memories

with Charlie. I got lots of yummy cakes and loved playing with Charlie in the sensory room! And I slept

all night after going in the Jacuzzi!

Alfie sat in a bath of baked beans dressed as Santa and

raised £179.50 for Children’s Hospice South West

in memory of his baby brother Charlie.

My name is Alfie and I am

two years old.

I sat in a baked bean bath

in memory of my brother.

P 12

Why am I a children’s nurse?

I work in a lovely house in the peace of the countryside, surrounded by various wildlife and yet only 15 minutes from the centre of Bristol.

All our families are on their own difficult journey. We try and find moments of fun and joy along the way.

Sarah Norman Nurse at Charlton Farm

“We are here because we have no choice” he said, “why are you here?” As a children’s nurse for longer than I care to admit, I have worked in hospitals in the community and in my own home providing respite care. I was drawn to working for CHSW because of their vision of whole family care. Facing a life-limiting condition is a whole family experience and each member of the family deserves recognition and support.

Why am I still here after five years? Firstly, because no two days are the same. I am constantly learning, being surprised and challenged in my professional practice and beliefs. It keeps me thinking about my attitudes and approach to people and situations.

Also, I love having the time to give quality care and the flexibility to respond to family’s needs, as well as having the support of a highly skilled and committed team.

Could your business sponsor a nurse at one of our hospices? For more information:

www.chsw.org.uk/nurse

Last week I was asked a question by the father of a family I was meeting for the first time at Charlton Farm. It made me stop and think.

One of the mothers once said to me:

It’s like we are on a train and don’t know where we are going, but now we are at Charlton Farm at least we know we are travelling first class!

P 13

Alfie

’s ba

ked

be

an b

ath | W

hy I am

a c

hildre

n’s nurse

The UK’s only awareness raising and fundraising week for children with life-limiting conditions and the services, like Children’s Hospices that support them.

www.chsw.org.uk/smile

13 June - Exeter Racecourse

20 June - The Downs, Bristol

28 June - RAF St Mawgan, Newquay

Get showered with all the colours of the Rainbow in this 5k fun run! Enter online and keep up to date with all the event information!

www.chsw.org.uk/rainbow

Take the 220ft challenge and abseil the highest waterfall in England at Canonteign Falls on 1 August 2015.

www.chsw.org.uk/abseil

220ft waterfall Abseil

Visit some of the South West’s most beautiful gardens supporting Children’s Hospice South West.

www.chsw.org.uk/garden Challenge yourself in 2015

P 14

Run for us in 2015!

18 April - Glow in the Park, Bath 19 April - Plymouth Half Marathon 26 April - Virgin London Marathon 3 May - Hartland Hartbreaker 10 May - Bideford 10k 31 May - Bristol 10k 14 Jun - Ruby Run 13 Sept - Bristol Half Marathon 27 Sept - Barnstaple Half Marathon 27 Sept - Barnstaple Marathon

Join our CHSW Running Club - a very special group of people willing to test themselves physically to raise smiles.

www.chsw.org.uk/running

RUNNING CLUB

Wacky Wardrobe

Can your school help raise a smile for Children’s Hospice South West?

Invite your pupils and teachers to dig out their wackiest clothes and donate £1 to wear them on your chosen day at school!

www.chsw.org.uk/wacky

Dunkeswell Airfield, Honiton

26 April 23 May 6 September 10 OctoberPerranporth Airfield,

Trevellas, Cornwall

20 and 21 June 12 and 13 September

Take on the challenge of this exhilarating 15,000ft sky dive! For more information and to book your place.

www.chsw.org.uk/skydive

Overseas challenges take place all year round, in amazing countries all over the world so there truly is something to suit any adventurer.

www.chsw.org.uk/overseas

Overseas ChallengesHave you always had the intention to take on a trek up a mountain or feel the thrill of white water rafting, but never quite got around to doing it? Now’s your chance!

Challenge yourself in 2015

P 15

Cha

lleng

e yourse

lf in 2015

Could you be a part of our jigsaw puzzle? By Sarah aged 6½

A little change can make a big difference...

When my little brother Jack was born I made a drawing of Mummy, Daddy and Jack and me all happy outside our house in the sunshine. I love my brother. He is great and sweet. My Mummy said our family was now complete.

Baby Jack cried a lot and he had to go to the doctors all of the time. The doctor man said that there wasn’t any medicine that would make my brother better and this made Mummy very sad and made Daddy very tired. Mummy told me that Jack would go and live in heaven one day soon and Daddy said it was like our family had broken into lots of pieces. We now get to go to the Children’s

Hospice for holidays and it is the most fun place ever in the world. When we go there Mummy isn’t sad all of the time and Daddy can sleep as much as he wants. Jack gets looked after and I get to play with other children who have brothers and sisters that are very ill too and we go out for adventures. I like it when I am there very much.

Mummy says that even though they can’t make my baby brother better, they can help pick up the pieces.

P 16

To make a Regular Gift you can either fill out the form opposite or visit: www.chsw.org.uk/jigsaw

Could you be a part of our jigsaw puzzle?

By giving £2 per month you can help us care for families with life-limited children by being there for them whenever they feel they are falling apart. By caring for and supporting them at our hospices, we can help them pick up the pieces and try to rebuild their family jigsaw.

Instruction to your Bank / Building Society

Please pay HSBC for the account of Children’s Hospice South West DD Account, A/C No: 12201712, Bank Sort code: 40-14-13 subject to the safeguards assured by the Direct Debit Guarantee. I understand that this Instruction may remain with Children’s Hospice South West and if so details will be passed electronically to my Bank / Building Society.

Signature: ..................................................................................................... Date: ..............................................

We may wish to contact you in the future. If you do not want to receive any further information, please tick here . All the data we hold is gathered and managed in strict accordance with the Data Protection Act (1998). We will not disclose any information supplied by you to any third party organisations.

I would like to give a regular giftMr Mrs Miss Ms Other: ........................ Account no

Full name: .....................................................................................................

Date of birth: .............................................................................................. Sort Code

Your address: .............................................................................................. - -

......................................................................................................................... Name(s) of account holder(s)

........................................................... Postcode: .......................................

Tel: .................................................. Email: ............................................................................................................

Full name and address of your Bank / Building Society

To: the Manager Bank / Building Society: ............................................................................

Address: ....................................................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................... Postcode: ......................................

Banks and Building Societies may not accept Direct Debit Instructions for some account types

Please make an instruction to your Bank / Building Society to pay a Direct Debit

Originator’s Identification Number 7 1 0 0 4 1

just

I wish to give £ ......................... each month starting on: ....................................... (month) ............................ (year) until further notice.

FOR CHILDREN’S HOSPICE SOUTH WEST official USE ONLY. This is not part of your Bank / Building Society.

P 17

Be p

art of our jig

saw

| Reg

ular g

iving from

www.chsw.org.uk

A regular gift makes a differenceYou can make your donation worth even more when you

I want Children’s Hospice South West to treat all donations I have made in the previous four years, and all donations I make from the date of this declaration as Gift Aid donations, until I notify you otherwise. I understand that I must pay an amount of United Kingdom income tax and/or capital gains tax (VAT and council tax do not qualify) at least equal to the tax that all charities and CASCs that I donate to will reclaim on my donations in the appropriate tax year (currently 25p for each £1 that you give).

It’s really easy to make a regular gift:

Just decide what you can give

Complete the form overleaf and if possible tick Gift Aid opposite

Return it to: Freepost RTJT-SLZG-BKYE Children’s Hospice South West Barnstaple Devon EX31 2ZZ

You won’t need a stamp but if you choose to use one you’ll be saving valuable funds. Thank you.

Time spent at the hospice gives us the

strength to go home and pick up our

lives again.

In 2013 we claimed over £190,000 in Gift Aid. It really is so valuable, so tick the box below to Gift Aid if you are a UK taxpayer.

For every pound you give us, we get an extra 25p

if you Gift Aid it.

e: enquiries@chsw.org.uk

Registered Charity No. 1003314 Registered in England No. 2620879

Charlton FarmCharlton Drive, Wraxall, North Somerset BS48 1PE

t: 01275 866 600

Little Bridge HouseRedlands Road, Fremington, Barnstaple,

Devon EX31 2PZt: 01271 325 270

Little HarbourPorthpean Road, Porthpean, St Austell,

Cornwall PL26 6AZt: 01726 871 800