For 11 years Mary Murfin has been working as a Community Fundraiser for Children’s Hospice South West’s Little Harbour in Porthpean, St Austell, helping to raise much needed funds to support children with life-limiting illnesses and their families.

From cake sales to county shows, Mary has dedicated her career at CHSW to spreading word of the charity and supporting the community in Mid and West Cornwall in their fundraising.

CHSW has played a strong part in Mary’s life, her journey with the charity started when she was involved in the founding of Falmouth Friends Group – a group set up to raise funds for CHSW. The group began in 1999 after those behind it listened to a very motivational talk by the late, Jill Farwell.

Mary said: “I had a passion for the charity, its support for families and everything it stands for.”

She has worked for CHSW since before Little Harbour existed and CHSW’s Cornwall office was in Truro. Mary has seen Little Harbour grow from simply architectural drawings into a fully functioning hospice “It’s been great to see Little Harbour blossom,” she said, “It has always had a very homely feel but now seems really lived in.”

Mary’s role as Community Fundraiser sees her getting involved in a wide range of activities, from supporting individuals in their fundraising to giving talks in schools, and for many, following this up with tours of Little Harbour.

“I often say to people who have attended one of my talks or have visited Little Harbour,” she said “If this has inspired you to support CHSW, please share your positivity with just one other person and you will make a difference.”

Mary has a passion for CHSW and gains huge job satisfaction from her role, for which she credits the team she works with as well as the fantastic support that comes from the wider community. She is very aware of how vital the generous support from the community is for the hospice.

“People in the community are at the heart of charities,” she explains. “Even when they don’t think they have done very much, every penny raised or every word shared is vital.”

Mary looks forward positively to the next 25 years of CHSW, envisaging the charity developing and responding further to the needs of families. “Here’s to the next 25 years of Children’s Hospice South West, making the most of short and precious lives thanks to the support of people in our communities and beyond,” she said.

It costs £8 million each year to fund the services at CHSW’s three hospices in Devon, Cornwall and Somerset, and the charity relies almost entirely on voluntary funding.

To find out more about supporting CHSW or volunteering in your area, contact mary.murfin@chsw.co.uk or call 07500 081972.