Mary, from Honiton, has been a volunteer with us since it all began, more than forty years ago, during which she has dedicated an extraordinary amount of time and helped raise a staggering £1.1million.
She said: “It was a perfect day and a beautiful venue, and it means a huge amount to me that Hospiscare has been nominated through what I do. It’s such an important charity.
“Hospiscare and all it embodies – the whole service, and all the people who benefit from it, helping their loved ones have a better end to their lives – is what motivates me to keep baking cakes and raising funds.”
Mary began volunteering for Hospiscare with her late husband, Trevor, back in its earliest days. Due to her catering background, Mary’s fundraising events usually revolve around food.
Louise Beeken, Hospiscare’s Head of Philanthropy, said: ‘It’s been over four decades of incredible support from Mary – from fundraising, coffee mornings and Christmas lunches, to driving patients to appointments, she has always been there to ensure our services can continue and expand, along with our waistlines for those of us who have enjoyed her incredible baking and culinary skills!
“From cake sales to fine dining and catering for weddings (including my own!) millions of mouthfuls of fabulous food has been eaten, raising over a million pounds, and we are all so grateful to her and her team.
“Mary’s enormous contribution and commitment to Hospiscare is truly inspirational.”
Mary currently volunteers with a team of nine other in Honiton and Sidmouth. Last year alone, the team raised more than £22,000 for our hospice.
The BBC Make a Difference Awards recognise and celebrate people making a positive contribution in their local community. Eight categories this year included sports groups, young heroes, and fundraisers like Mary.
Mary was one of only a handful of finalists from hundreds of nominations sent to BBC Devon following appeals on radio, TV, online and social media.
She was nominated by a member of the public who saw her volunteering in action at fundraising events in the community. She attended the awards evening with members of Hospiscare’s fundraising teams from Honiton and Sidmouth.
In 2022, Mary also won a Hospice UK ‘Volunteer of the Year’ award.
Mary was on the receiving end of Hospiscare support in 2024, when her beloved husband Trevor, a musician and talented theatre organist, received the charity’s help to be at home with his family in his final days.
She said: “When the Hospiscare service walks through your door, it makes you realise what an amazing service it really is. The incredible support we had in Trevor’s last days helps me to carry on volunteering and fundraising, so others can experience the same benefits.”
Well done Mary and thank you for all you do to support Hospiscare.
