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Hospiscare Heroes: From real-life superheroes to lemonade stands

Our Hospiscare Heroes never cease to inspire.

Week after week, they dedicate their time and energy to fundraising across Exeter, Mid, and East Devon, helping ensure we can be there for our patients and their families when they need us most.

Here’s a glimpse into how they have been flexing their extraordinary talents.

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Open Day – A Superhero Spectacle!

Our first stop takes us to the Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Open Day in Clyst St George, where true heroes—our emergency services—showcased their incredible skills. Held on 1 September, the event was officially opened by Chief Fire Officer Gavin Ellis and the Lord Mayor of Exeter, Councillor Kevin Mitchell, and was jam-packed with entertainment from start to finish.

 

The day offered fun and games for all ages, with opportunities to abseil, explore fire engines, and enjoy live performances from Street Heat, the Exmouth Shanty Men, the Fire Service Band, and a dazzling display by local majorettes. Attendees were also treated to demonstrations by fire investigation arson detection dogs, Jops and Toby, whose talents in live scent detection captivated the crowds.

It’s no surprise that this fantastic family event exceeded expectations, attracting larger-than-anticipated numbers. A special thank you goes to all the local businesses that generously donated sundries and prizes for the raffle, tombola, and silent auction. We are especially grateful to Darts Farm for providing the land, the Exmouth Men’s Shed for crafting children’s games, Tesco for their on-the-day assistance, and the extraordinary members of Exmouth W.I. for their support.

So far, the event has raised an impressive £11,000, and counting!

We extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone involved, including the dedicated staff at Devon and Somerset Fire Headquarters and the tireless volunteers. Special recognition goes to the Pinhoe & Broadclyst, Exeter Friends, Exmouth and Lympstone, and Otter Vale Hospiscare Fundraising Support Groups, as well as Pumper (Alan White) and Sue Peacock, whose hard work in planning and organising made this day the overwhelming success it was.

Bingo Night with Hays Travel – Fun and Funds for Hospiscare!

Our next heroes showed us that Bingo is not only great fun but also a wonderful way to support our charity. On Friday 23 August, Hays Travel Exmouth hosted an exciting Bingo Night for Hospiscare. With a lively atmosphere, a well-stocked bar, and the charismatic Pete Johnson as host, the night was filled with laughter and good spirits.

Thanks to everyone involved, including The GWRSA Club for generously providing the venue. The event was a huge success, raising over £1,800.

Oscar’s Lemonade Stand – Turning Lemons into Lifesaving Support!

“When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.” Nine-year-old Hospiscare Hero, Oscar Pearce, took this phrase to his heart—quite literally! Recently, Oscar set up a fundraising stall outside his house in Whimple, appropriately named the “Lemon Lounge Stall”, selling homemade lemonade and delicious lemon drizzle cakes.

Thanks to Oscar’s entrepreneurial spirit, he raised a fantastic £111.35 for Hospiscare. Well done Oscar, and a big thank you to everyone who supported his efforts!

Nick’s Skydive for Hospiscare – A Leap of Faith!

On Saturday, Hospiscare Hero Nick Madden found himself soaring into the sky, jumping out of a plane to raise funds for Hospiscare! For the past couple of years, Nick has been at the forefront of Cornwall Glass’s fundraising efforts; the family-owned business which is a proud member of Hospiscare’s 40 Club.

Nick courageously stepped up to the challenge when a colleague could no longer participate. Nick’s aerial adventure has already raised over £1,500, proving that his determination to make a difference knows no bounds. A huge thanks to Nick, Cornwall Glass, and all those who supported his incredible skydive!

You can still support Nick’s fundraising efforts here.

Exmouth Rotary’s Classic Car Show – Driving Support for Hospiscare

Our next Hospiscare Heroes, Exmouth Rotary Club and World of Country Life went full throttle with their support for our charity. Recently they joined forces at the Classic Car Show and raised an incredible £4,000 for Hospiscare.

Thank you to all the volunteers and supporters who helped make the day a success. We couldn’t do it without you!

Royal Marines Corps Weekend – A Fiery Preview!

It was an absolute privilege for Hospiscare to be invited to the Royal Marines Corps Weekend in Lympstone. In collaboration with The Royal Marines Charity, we promoted our upcoming October Firewalk with a special “Lego Walk” activity.

A big thank you to all the brave adults and children who took part and earned their certificates!

We’d also like to extend a special thank you to our amazing volunteer, Colleen Simon, for helping on the day, and to Adrienne Kamester, the Royal Marines Charity Membership Coordinator, for inviting us to this fantastic event. And of course, a heartfelt thanks to everyone who stopped by to say hello!

Thank you to all our Hospiscare Heroes on behalf of our staff, patients, and their loved ones. Each of these stories highlights the incredible dedication, creativity, and compassion of our Hospiscare Heroes. From running long distances to organizing family events, every effort counts and brings us closer to providing essential care to those in need.

We love hearing your stories about how you are fundraising for Hospiscare so please get in touch with us on Facebook or X to share your photos and fundraising tales.

If you would like to fundraise for us, please visit our fundraising page to find out more.