The Children's Hospice South West Precious Lives Appeal

It has been a very special time for us at Pirate FM as the official radio partner for The Children's Hospice South West Precious Lives Appeal.

Little Harbour, the first dedicated children's hospice for Cornwall is now completed. You can see the new building by clicking on this link to the Little Harbour Web Cam

Or find the official Precious Lives Appeal website here

But the work goes on to raise the money needed to keep the world class facility going.

Right: A photo of the building work at Porthpean

Making the most of short and precious lives across the South West

Children’s Hospice South West (CHSW) provides the only hospice care in the South West for children with life-limiting conditions.  This means that these children are not expected to survive into adulthood.  Our three hospices – Little Bridge House in North Devon, Charlton Farm in North Somerset, and Little Harbour in Mid Cornwall – provide respite care and support for those children and their families who are having to cope with the most difficult of situations. We also provide a full range of palliative, emergency, and end of life care and bereavement support.

We provide a loving and caring place for every member of every family who stays with us; a sanctuary for mums and dads, brothers and sisters.  A place where everyone can begin to forget their worries for a while, be a family again and find expert help and support in facing an uncertain future.  And because we are there every hour of every day, we are able to provide a listening ear at any time, but most particularly, during the night when life can seem a little more difficult.

Little Harbour

In December 2011, we added the final piece to our network of special care when we opened our third ‘home from home’ Little Harbour, in Porthpean near St Austell.  This means that no family with a life-limited child living in the South West peninsula needs to travel more than ninety minutes to access our vital services.  It also enables us to reach out and support even more families who need our help.

Our ‘hospice by the sea’ has everything a sick child and their family needs to make their stay as comfortable and enjoyable as possible.  It is often described as top quality hotel standard accommodation with a homely feel and that is exactly what we are aiming for.

Curved walls and bright colours help distinguish the hospice from a clinical hospital, with each child receiving a warm and friendly welcome as their bedroom is personalised for their stay.  Hoists and medical equipment is on hand, but not intrusive, enabling first-class care in a homely environment.

The ‘Lobster Pot’ soft play area, ‘Lighthouse’ multi-sensory room, and ‘Starfish’ spa room have all been designed with the needs of sick children in mind.  From a safe place to play with brothers and sisters, to a space to relax or explore different sensory experiences, to a fun splash around with Mum and Dad or a hydrotherapy session to alleviate stiff joints and muscle spasms, the facilities are multifunctional and well-used.

Catering for all the family

For siblings the Messy Play or Games rooms are often favourite spots in the house, giving them the chance to express themselves and play with other siblings going through similar circumstances.

Cosy family lounges, a quiet conservatory, and beautiful grounds provide a haven for Mums and Dads; a place to relax and maybe curl up with a good book or magazine – simple pleasures they may not get the opportunity to enjoy at home.

As with our other hospices, Little Harbour has a room called ‘Starborn’ in which, after a child has died, they can be laid for up to seven days.  This special room looks very much like a bedroom, but is kept at a regulated temperature.  This allows families to be in an environment where they can say goodbye to their child properly, surrounded by loved ones, with the support from members of the care team who have looked after their much-loved child during their stays.

Although thankfully very few of us will ever have to cope with the loss of a child, there are far too many who will.  You can help some of these families on their difficult journeys by supporting Children’s Hospice South West.  

Funding

As a charity we are almost entirely funded by voluntary donations.  Quite simply we couldn’t provide the wonderful service we do without the support of local individuals, groups, and businesses.  To find out about the many different ways in which you can help visit www.chsw.org.uk

Forthcoming Events 

Please scroll down to see our forthcoming events.

First Sunday of each month during 2013 - 7 p.m. to 10.30 p.m.

ST AUSTELL - Big Al's Blues Club 'Jam Evening' at The Rann Wartha (Wetherspoons), Biddicks Court, St Austell. PL25 5EW. Resident House Band - Come along and join in ~ Be part of it ~ Sing ~ Play ~ Tap your feet. Everyone Welcome.  Supporting Little Harbour, Children's Hospice South West.  Enquiries: Call 01726 70786

Friday 26^th April

CARLYON BAY, St Austell – HSBC Golf Day at the Carlyon Bay Golf Club in aid of Children’s Hospice South West.  The day’s competition will be followed by an evening of entertainment, including an auction and raffle with some amazing prizes up for grabs!  Want to get your hands on a signed Oasis guitar?... then you best make a bid! Contact Bernadette.chambers@chsw.org.uk or phone 01726 871800 for further information

Friday 26^th April – Friday 3^rd May

ACROSS THE SOUTH WEST! – Children’s Hospice South West’s Raise a Smile Week, part of national Children’s Hospice Week.  Join in this fun fundraising and awareness raising week to Raise a Smile for the children and families who use CHSW’s special children’s hospices.  From Super Hero Friday, to the Great South West Cake Bake Off, there’s loads of fun activities you can get stuck into!  Visit www.chsw.org.uk/raiseasmile or phone 01726 871800 to see the many different ways in which you can get involved.

Friday 3rd May Doors open 6.30 p.m. Eyes down 7.30 p.m.

ST ISSEY, nr WADEBRIDGE - Charity Prize Bingo supporting Children's Hospice South West Little Harbour at St Issey Village Hall.

Friday 3rd May 7 p.m. for 7.30 p.m. start

WADEBRIDGE - Quiz Night supporting Children's Hospice South West, Little Harbour at Wadebridge Social Club.  Teams of 4 - £5 per person.  Plus Raffle. Drinks from the bar.

Friday 3rd May 7.30 p.m.

ST AUSTELL - Kernow Campaigners Fun Quiz Evening supporting Children's Hospice South West, Little Harbour. Venue: Mount Charles Social Club, Mount Charles, St Austell.  Members & Bon Fide Guests welcome.

Saturday 4th May 7.30 p.m. to midnight

HELSTON - 'Not the Flora Dance' [four days before Flora Day - Hunt out your jiving shoes ahead of Helston’s biggest day of dancing, for a pre Flora Day fundraising fling]. Dance to the band 'Mid Life Crysis' at the Old Cattle Market in aid of Children's Hospice South West and Cornwall Air Ambulance. Organised by Helston-Lizard Rotary tickets are £5 available from Dales the Butchers and Wearnes Jewellers, both in Helston, or by calling Edwin Lawrence on 01326 572086 or 07798 690151

Sunday 5th May - 7 p.m.

TRURO - 'May the 5th be with you' - Charity Night at Bunters Bar, Truro supporting Children's Hospice South west and the ITP Foundation.  Featuring: Contact, Lucy Anne, Holland & the Jogging Tree, Abee Hague, Gareth Lee, Tom Gall & Moonlet and the Lovemonks.  £3 entry with all proceeds going to the chosen charities.

Saturday 11th May 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

ST AUSTELL - May Fayre at Cornwall College, St Austell supporting Children's Hospice South West, Little Harbour and the College Volunteer Kenya programme.  FREE Fun day out for all the family: Craft Fair, car Boot, Zones include - Fun, Food & Drink, Info, Pampering, Animals, Fitness, Entertainment plus the Cornwall College Bake Off! Information about studying courses at the College will also be available on the day. For more information about the May Fayre please call 01726 226622 or email enquiries@cornwall.ac.uk

Sunday 12^th May 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

TRURO – It’s a Charity Knockout, Truro Rugby Club Fun, fun, fun will be the order of the day as competitors and spectators come together for Children’s Hospice South West’s It’s a Charity Knockout event.

Team members will be dressing up in silly costumes, throwing themselves around inflatable obstacle courses, and getting soaked as they get stuck into all manner of whacky games including ‘Off To The Beach’, ‘The Doughnut Delivery Game’, ‘P-P-Penguin Dash’ and ‘Hurdle Hullabaloo’.  Come cheer them along and enjoy a fun day out for the whole family!  Entertainment including a bouncy castle, laser tag, trampoline bungee, teacups ride, face-painting, messy play, Chloe the Clown and plenty of stalls, games and refreshments.  Gates open 11am (free entry and car parking), games start at 11:30am, presentations at 3pm.  Find out more at www.chsw.org.uk/knockout

Sunday 12th May 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

FALMOUTH - Visit the Children's Hospice South West Wedding Favours stand at the Merchants Manor Wedding Fair, Western Terrace, Falmouth.  Free entry and Free Parking. In association with Cornish Brides.

Saturday 18th May 7 p.m. onwards

NEWQUAY - Reunion Charity Spring Ball celebrating 25 years of Playbox Nursery supporting Children's Hospice South West and Happy Days at The Atlantic Hotel, Newquay. Drinks and canapes on arrival followed by a 5 course meal plus evening entertainment and raffle.  Dress Code: Black Tie.  Tickets £40 - Contact Playbox Nursery 01872 222571 or email playbox@happydaysnurseries.com

Sunday 19th May Arrive from 9 a.m. Ride out starts 10.30 a.m.

INDIAN QUEENS - Damerell's Charity Motorcycle Ride Out supporting Children's Hospice South West.  Start & Finish at Damerell's Lodge Way, Indian Queens. TR9 6TF. Entry Fees: £3 solo rider ~ £5 with pillion (if possible please have correct money on arrival).  For more infor call Steve 01726 862400

Sunday 19th May Gates open 12 noon / Dog Show starts 1 p.m.

BOCONNOC ESTATE, LOSTWITHIEL - Annual Open Gardens & Fun Dog Show for Children's Hospice South West at Boconnoc Estate, Lostwithiel. Dog Show: £1 per dog per class to CHSW.  Garden Admission £4.50 adults (children by donation) in aid of CHSW. Light refreshments available including Cream Teas, plus stalls and more....  House open by separate admission £4pp (In aid of Boconnoc House Restoration Fund). Boconnoc House PL22 0RG is signposted off the A390 at East Taphouse between Lostwithiel & Liskeard.  For more information call: 01726 871800 or email: mary.murfin@chsw.org.uk

Monday 20th - 26th May

CORNWALL - Team Border Cross Challenge. In just seven days in the month of May, the team, along with support crew, are to circumnavigate the outer reaches of the Duchy. Not just by bicycle, but also by kayak to cover the wet bits. All to raise funds and awareness for Children’s Hospice South West. If you want to sponsor/donate to the team’s cause go to www.bordercross.org.uk and click on the red donate box. If you would like to help the team in any other way (kit, supplies, counselling)please email team@bordercross.org.uk.

Tuesday 21st May from 5 p.m. onwards

ST AUSTELL - Charity Night supporting Children's Hospice South West at The Watermargin Chinese Restaurant, 2 Gover Road, St Austell. PL25 5ND. Choose 3 courses from a limited menu at £13.95 per person.  A percentage from every meal and all  Raffle proceeds will be donated to Little Harbour}. Booking essential - call 01726 74886 now to avoid disappointment.

Challenge yourself for Children’s Hospice South West

With another New Year underway, why not set yourself a goal to do something you can be really proud of?

Children’s Hospice South West (CHSW) is encouraging local people to push themselves, face their fears, or go the extra mile to help families with life-limited children.

From skydives to firewalks, abseils to overseas challenges, marathons to cycle rides, the charity has a series of challenge events already in the calendar for 2013.  So all you have to do is be brave enough to pick one and then go for it!

Emma Lloyd Head of Fundraising for CHSW’s Little Harbour children’s hospice sets down the challenge:

“Why not make 2013 a year that really counts by doing something amazing for Children’s Hospice South West?  Whether you’ve always had the intention to trek up a mountain or throw yourself from a plane, walk over hot coals or push yourself to the limit on your bike, or it’s never crossed your mind before…  Whether you’re a seasoned adrenaline seeker, runner, or cyclist or a complete novice, now’s the time to take up the challenge for CHSW!

“All the money raised from our exciting programme of challenge events goes towards caring for families facing the most unimaginable of circumstances – that their precious child isn’t expected to reach adulthood.  At Children’s Hospice South West we do everything we can to help these families enjoy every single moment they have together.  So by taking on one of our challenges and enriching your own life you will be helping to make the most of short and precious lives.”

CHSW’s Challenge Events 2013 Calendar includes:

• February – skydive weekend at Perranporth, and Bodmin Half Marathon
• March – corporate skydive at Perranporth
• April – the Virgin London Marathon, and the Plymouth Half Marathon
• June – the Ride for Precious Lives cycle event, and skydive weekend at Perranporth
• July – abseil, Plymouth
• August – Ride London 100 cycle event
• September – Classic Cols of the Tour de France cycle challenge, Mount Kilimanjaro Trek, Plymouth 10k, and skydive weekend at Perranporth
• October – Sahara Desert Trek and Street Child Project, the Royal Parks Half Marathon, firewalks in Newquay and Marazion, and corporate skydive at Perranporth

Take on the challenge of a lifetime for Children’s Hospice South West and help local families facing their own daily challenges.  Find out more about CHSW’s range of challenge events, and sign up today, at www.chsw.org.uk/challenge-events or phone 01726 871800

NOW OPEN in Truro! A new kind of charity shop selling second hand and new goods for under 5 year olds

Shop - We sell high quality toys, clothes and equipment for young children

Donate - Please donate your pre-loved items to us, we can even arrange to collect larger items from your home, such as cots, furniture and baby changers. See a full list of all items we take and some we are unable to take. Why not arrange a home collection by contacting 01726 871800.

Meet - Our shop has been designed to have the space to meet other young families. You may make a friend whilst browsing our aisles!

Join us! Volunteer opportunities available - can you spare just a few hours a week to support your local children's hospice, Little Harbour?

We are looking for volunteers for a few hours a day. There are a range of opportunities from helping with deliveries and collections, merchandising and processing stock to assisting our customers please download a volunteer application form.

Find us (Google map) in Tinner's Court, Truro - next to the Pannier Market between Lemon Quay and Prince's Street. Tel: 01872 858072.

On Monday 5th September 2011 we revealed that the Precious Lives Appeal target of £5 million had been reached!

• 'Little Harbour, the dream' is now a reality as Cornwall gets it's first Childrens Hospice.

• The first families moved into the facility in December 2011
  

• Thank-you SO SO much...you really have helped achieve something incredible.

BUT...

Although the appeal to build the hospice has reached its goal - Children's Hospice South West still need to find well over £1 million every year to keep Little Harbour running, so your help is as important now as ever.

Just click on the other tabs on this page to find our 'Raise The Roof' Justgiving page, support one of the many local fundraising event or find out about the new dedicated charity shop in Truro and the new improved shop in St Austell.

Photos from Little Harbour on Monday 5th September:

Please scroll down to see our guided video tours with Precious Lives Appeal Manager Emma Lloyd.

Fundraising Events

Click above for full details of how you can get involved.

Matt embarks on inspiring Para-decathlon to help life-limited children

“One disabled bloke, ten sporting events by wheelchair, crutches, rowing machine or water, to raise funds for Children’s Hospice South West” reads Matt Brewster’s Facebook page.

Just over a month into 2013 and Matt is already two events down in his enormous challenge, having successfully completed the10k January Jaunt run on crutches in Plympton and 2000m as an Adaptive Rower in the Cornish Indoor Rowing Championships in Newquay.  He is now part way through a static hand-cycle virtual tour of Britain from Land’s End to John O’Groats, and his next March Madness event will see him rowing between 5 and 10k a day indoors for the whole month.

Matt, from Plymstock, was diagnosed with a rare degenerative bone disease called Avascular Necrosis in March 2008 which affects the mobility in his legs.  He also has arthritis and a liver condition, but wanted to keep as active as possible and put his disability to positive use.  He explains:

“Having always been an active person and keeping up with my children, it came as a bit of a shock to start with and, after teaching myself about a condition not many people had heard of, wanted to look at my options to stay sporty.

“It was back in 2010 I decided to try the Plymouth Half Marathon on crutches for charity.  It took a fair while to get round but I got there in the end.  Having done the first event, it seemed a good idea to try and build upon that and the training seemed a good way for me to try and stay healthy in mind and upper-body too.  In 2011 I set myself a challenge to complete eight road races in a wheelchair from 10k to half marathon distance, and ended up doing fourteen!  I did a mixture of things last year but was hampered by injury.  This year I was inspired by the Paralympics to come up with a Para-decathlon challenge in aid of Children’s Hospice South West so I could help local children with a variety of life-limiting conditions.”

Matt’s March Madness will be followed by the completion of the virtual hand-cycle tour and the Plymouth half marathon in April.  Other events scheduled in his calendar include a 550m swimming challenge in July, a wheelchair basketball World Record attempt for the most number of free-shots in an hour, and an indoor rowing distance challenge in September, the Plymouth 10k road race in November, and another event still in the pipeline.

By taking on this inspiring challenge, Matt hopes to raise awareness and vital funds for the work of Children’s Hospice South West (CHSW).

Judy Pride, local Community Fundraiser for CHSW’s Little Harbour children’s hospice, says:

“By taking on this host of challenges, and pushing himself to the limit in the face of adversity Matt truly is an inspiration.

“The families from across the South West who use our services face their own daily challenges and the most unimaginable reality – that their precious child is not expected to reach adulthood.  We do everything we can to assist them on this difficult journey and to help them make the most of every moment they have together.  It is only because of the wonderful support of local people like Matt that we are able to do this, so a huge thank you on behalf of all these children and families.”

To sponsor Matt for his amazing challenge in aid of Children’s Hospice South West visit www.chsw.org.uk/Matt2013 and keep up with his progress on his Facebook page: www.facebook.com/MattB2013

Children’s Hospice South West is the official local charity for Plymouth’s Half and 10k again this year.  To find out more visit www.chsw.org.uk/running or to register for the race visit www.plymouthhalfmarathon.com