Time after time, they pour their time and energy into fundraising for our local charity, making a meaningful difference to patients and their loved ones across Exeter, central and east Devon. Whether they’re organising community events, taking on personal challenges, hosting raffles, or simply giving their time to support others, we’re proud to celebrate some of our wonderful Hospiscare Heroes – the people who make our work possible.
Celebrating farming heritage with a purpose
At the end of September, the much-loved Kings Down Annual Tractor Working Weekend & Steam Engine Gathering returned to Kings Down Farm in Salcombe Regis.
With an impressive array of vintage tractors and steam engines on display, the weekend was a wonderful celebration of farming heritage and community spirit.
Thanks to the incredible generosity of visitors, exhibitors, volunteers, and supporters, the event raised a fantastic £2,415.42 for Hospiscare.
A special thank you goes to Gerald Knight and the Knight family for hosting the event and opening up Kings Down Farm. Their continued support, alongside the hard work and dedication of organiser Richard Start, helped make the weekend such a success.
Toni Hiscocks, Area Fundraiser at Hospiscare, said:
“We’re incredibly grateful to Gerald, Richard, and everyone involved in organising this fantastic event once again. It was wonderful to see so many people come together to celebrate our local farming heritage while raising vital funds for Hospiscare. Thank you to everyone who attended, donated, and supported the weekend.”
A family business with a big heart
From vintage tractors to brand-new machinery, our next Hospiscare Hero is James Pryce Tractors, a family-run business based in Tiverton.
Showing its support for local families and specialist end-of-life care, the business organised a raffle, bringing a little extra community spirit to its work and raising an impressive £545.
We’re fortunate to have the support of local businesses that recognise the importance of caring for their communities. A huge thank you to everyone at James Pryce Tractors, and to all those who bought a raffle ticket, for helping make a difference.
A Summer Ball with a charitable purpose
Our Hospiscare Heroes come in all shapes and sizes, and the teachers and pupils at Blundell’s School are a wonderful example of what can be achieved when a community comes together for a good cause.
As their school term drew to a close, the pupils turned their attention from the classroom to the community, organising a Summer Ball to raise vital funds for Hospiscare.
Amid all the fun and celebrations, they dedicated their time, their hard work paid off, raising an incredible £2,000 for Hospiscare.
We couldn’t be prouder of these young fundraisers. A huge thank you to everyone involved in organising the ball, to everyone who attended, and to all those who contributed to this fantastic total.
A sweet way to support Hospiscare
A huge thank you to our wonderful supporters Nikki B, Emma D, and Aimee, who proudly represented Hospiscare at the Corps Family Weekend at CTCRM Lympstone.
In April, Hospiscare pledged its support for the UK’s Armed Forces and veteran communities by signing the Armed Forces Covenant. This public commitment recognises the contribution of those who serve, or have served, in the UK Armed Forces, and their families.
Our volunteers joined thousands of serving personnel, veterans, families, and supporters for a day filled with celebration. They set up a cake stall, offering visitors a sweet treat while raising awareness of Hospiscare and our work among the Royal Marines community and their families.
With a packed programme of activities, including marching bands, military displays, and live music, it was a fantastic opportunity to connect with the community. Thanks to the generosity of everyone who stopped by, our brilliant volunteers raised an impressive £230 in donations.
Thank you to everyone who enjoyed a slice of cake, made a donation or took the time to learn more about Hospiscare.
Going the extra mile
For our Hospiscare Hero Pete Bishop, fundraising is a deeply personal journey. In memory of his mum, Sylvia, Pete cycled an incredible 930 miles from Hayle to Inverness, climbing a staggering 47,000 feet along the way. His route took him from the most southerly hospice in the country to the most northerly, honouring both the care Sylvia received on our ward and her own love of cycling.
Determined to give something back, Pete completed his challenge, and raised £5,752 for Hospiscare.
But his story doesn’t end there! Since returning from his epic ride, Pete has become a national champion in the over-60s time trial category. He’s also planning pub quizzes to raise even more money for Hospiscare, and there may even be another challenge on the horizon for 2027.
You can find out more about Pete’s fundraising journey and support his efforts on his JustGiving page.
Pete, thank you for turning your love of cycling into something so meaningful and for helping us continue caring for local patients and their families.
Thank you to all our Hospiscare Heroes
From every act of kindness, big or small, our supporters help make compassionate end-of-life care possible. To every one of our Hospiscare Heroes, thank you. Your generosity, creativity and commitment make an extraordinary difference to patients and families across our community, helping us be there when it matters most.
We love hearing your fundraising stories! Share your photos and updates with us on Facebook or Instagram.
Feeling inspired? Visit our fundraising page to discover how you can get involved and do your own thing for Hospiscare.
