INCREDIBLE SUPPORT SEE'S OVER £84,000 RAISED FOR NORTH DEVON HOSPICE'S CUDDLE APPEAL

On behalf of every patient and family that we are privileged to care for, thank you – we are so touched by your generosity.”

Patients, family members, and staff at North Devon Hospice have been blown away by the generosity of the North Devon community after more than £84,000 was raised in aid of the hospice’s Cuddle Appeal.

Launched in February, the Cuddle Appeal aimed to raise £30,000 for another specialist cuddle bed for the hospice’s Bedded Unit, and to fund more care at home to help patients stay close to their family when facing a life-limiting illness. After reaching the initial target in just a few weeks, donors, schools, businesses, and groups continued to support the appeal, organising numerous fundraising events and donating to ensure families across North Devon can enjoy as many cuddles as possible.

Sarah Thomas, a hospice patient who was part of the appeal, described herself as ‘overwhelmed’ when she saw the community’s reaction. “I shared my own experience of using the hospice’s existing cuddle bed when I stayed on the Bedded Unit earlier this year because it made such a difference to me and my daughter,” said Sarah. “I’m happy to do anything I can to help the hospice, after the love and care they have shown me, so it was lovely to see the total keep going up and up! I had no idea that people would be so generous – I’m overwhelmed but in a good way! Now, other families at the hospice will be able to experience that same closeness, with proper cuddles in a proper big bed.”

While many made generous donations including substantial support for local company CT1 in the South West, others hosted events and activities to bring people together in support of the appeal and to raise awareness of the hospice and the care they provide. Among these were Caen Community Primary School’s playground fundraiser, Mocean Samba Band’s doorbell collection, and Avo-Craft Café’s colouring competition, each raising a significant amount towards the £84,837 total. The hospice Retail Team also got behind the appeal, with the Braunton hospice charity shop hosting a raffle and the Furniture Shop in Barnstaple putting on a Yard Sale, increasing the fundraising total even further!

“We’re so grateful to the whole community, who have really pulled together to raise such a staggering amount in aid of the Cuddle Appeal,” said Lizzie Hanks, Head of Fundraising at North Devon Hospice. “To have exceeded our target by almost three times the amount is just mind-blowing and shows how much the cause resonated with people across North Devon who understand the need for everyone to be able to enjoy a cuddle with someone they love when it matters most. On behalf of every patient and family that we are privileged to care for at North Devon Hospice, thank you – we are so touched by your generosity.”

Angela and her family donated to the appeal in memory of Angela’s husband Leonard, who sadly passed away earlier this year. “When we saw the Cuddle Appeal, I knew we had to encourage donations in Leonard’s memory,” said Angela. “Family was what Leonard was all about; to know we’ve helped other families to share precious cuddles as he loved to do would have made him smile.”

The funds raised from the appeal will allow the hospice to take delivery of not just one but two new cuddle beds very soon, so more patients can snuggle up, sleep, or relax with their loved ones while staying on the Bedded Unit. Terminal illness robs people of so many things that can often be taken for granted, so being able to keep families together on a cuddle bed will mean everything to them. It will also help fund a community nurse for an entire year, meaning hundreds of patients can be cared for in their own homes anywhere across North Devon. Because, ultimately, the bed they most want to be in, is their own.

To find out more about the Cuddle Appeal and the vital work of North Devon Hospice, visit northdevonhospice.org.uk.