Hospice reaches target (From Falmouth Packet)

Hospice reaches target

8:40am Thursday 8th September 2011 in News

A little piece of history was made in Cornwall this week as Children’s Hospice South West reached its fundraising target for Cornwall’s first children’s hospice.

Eddie Farwell, chief executive officer and co-founder of Children’s Hospice South West announced that not only was the building, on the outskirts of St Austell, almost complete but that the appeal fund target of £5 million had been reached.

Mr Farwell said: “Little Harbour was built through the dedication, hard work and sheer determination of the many people who chose to raise funds for life-limited children.”

Mr Farwell , who with his late wife Jill, founded the charity in 1991 said: “When our beautiful children, Katie and Tom, were diagnosed with a life-limiting condition, my late wife Jill and I had to travel from our home in north Devon to Oxford to receive respite care at Helen House children’s hospice.

“Our vision when we founded Children’s Hospice South West was that no other family in a similar situation should have to make such a long journey.

“Today sees the dream become a reality; to ensure that families from across our region have access to a local hospice where they can receive the support they so desperately need.

“Little did I know in 1991 that the level of support that we have received over the years would have enabled us to complete this dream.

“To say that I am overwhelmed and humbled would be a vast understatement.”

Head of care at Little Harbour, Tamsin Lewis added a “heartfelt thanks to everyone who has supported the appeal.”

However, she added: “The Little Harbour journey does not stop here and we implore supporters to keep running, keep swimming and cycling, keep baking cakes and keep fundraising for Children’s Hospice South West so we can ensure a secure future for our families.”