CHSW Christmas Fair – Saturday 7th December 2024

Guest Blog Post - CHSW Christmas Fair

The very popular Christmas Fair in aid of Children’s Hospice South West will be held in Dartmouth Old Market from 10am to 3pm on Saturday 7th December. Stalls will be selling all sorts of gifts, cards, crafts, jewellery, driftwood art, cakes and more. Plus, Dartmouth Rock will be singing seasonal songs from 11am to create a special Christmas atmosphere.

CHSW is the only children’s hospice in the South West. It provides essential specialist care and support for over 550 families with life-limited children in the South West. Volunteers are always more than welcome to help us raise much-needed funds to make the most of short and very precious lives. It’s fun and a great way to make friends while helping a great charity. See contact details below.

Children’s Hospice South West was founded 33 years ago by Eddie Farwell and his late wife, Jill, who recognized the urgent need for hospice care for children in the South West. Despite personal tragedy, including the loss of Jill and their two eldest children, Eddie continues to lead the organisation as CEO but takes well-earned retirement in the Spring of 2025.

Today, the charity provides specialist respite and hospice care and support for over 550 families of children with life-limiting conditions from across the South West. Families in and around Dartmouth have used the services of Children’s Hospice South West and found them invaluable. There are 3 hospices in the region: Little Bridge House near Barnstaple in North Devon, Charlton Farm near Bristol, North Somerset, and Little Harbour near St Austell in Cornwall. This means that no family has to travel more than 1½ hours to access support.

CHSW delivers a range of services including short breaks, home visits and virtual activities, a dedicated siblings team, palliative and emergency care, end of life care, bereavement support for as long as it’s needed, and specialist medical care - all available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Specialist palliative care is available for the whole family, addressing the physical, emotional, social

and spiritual needs of each member of the family. The care offered is not simply about medical and nursing care for sick children, but about making the most of short and precious lives and providing lasting memories. Every day is dedicated to making the most of every moment.

Services are free to families who need CHSW because they believe that nothing should get in the way of very sick children receiving the very best care. It costs almost £12 million every year to run the 3 hospices. Only 14% of this is provided by government, less than a fifth of their expenditure. The rest has to be raised from fundraising.

Dartmouth & District Friends Group is a very small team of around 10 regular local volunteers who organise events locally to raise money and awareness for Children’s Hospice South West. Each year, we have Christmas and Easter Fairs in the Old Market with events in Royal Avenue Gardens being one Dart Art Day in the summer and two Tea Hut days. The fees for exhibitors at these events are paid in full to CHSW together with funds raised from volunteer activities at the events such as selling teas and cakes, tombolas etc.. We also take part in Family Regatta and Rotary events and keenly take up any opportunity to have a stall, activity or event in Dartmouth or the local area to raise money for our essential charity.

The Dartmouth & District Friends Group works tirelessly to organise events to raise funds and awareness for this remarkable charity. Whether you can offer your time, resources, attend our events, or simply spread the word, your support is greatly appreciated. For more information or to get involved, please contact Sue at tweed833@btinternet.com or on 07955 197721.

Meanwhile, please join us as we come together on Saturday 7th December to celebrate Christmas, community, and the invaluable work of Children’s Hospice South West.