Tribute to a dedicated fundraiser for Children's Hospice South West

Tributes have been pouring in for Ray Hales from Barnstaple who has sadly died aged 96.

Emma Perry, Head of Fundraising at Little Bridge House children’s hospice, who knew Ray Hales for many years through his incredible fundraising efforts for the charity, said that all at CHSW are deeply saddened to hear that Ray has died.

“Ray and his wife Kathie were supporters of the charity from its very beginnings, fundraising and volunteering tirelessly for the charity for over 30 years. Even in the last few years Ray showed us all that age is no barrier by doing a skydive and a wing walk to raise funds for CHSW.

Ray spent countless hours over the years doing bucket collections, volunteering at events and giving talks in the community to help raise awareness. The world will be a little less bright now, thank you for everything you did Ray.”

Emma has very fond memories of Ray over the years: “Ray always did incredibly passionate tours of Little Bridge House where he knew every single detail about the planning and building of the children’s hospice. His determination to do everything and support endlessly was so inspiring from bucket collections, giving talks to community groups, volunteering at events and he was the master of raffle ticket selling back in the day!

I fondly remember Ray’s funny stories about being involved and being on the phones for the appeal to build Charlton Farm, our hospice in North Somerset. Most recently was his skydive and his wing walk - we were all so excited for him but also so nervous, but Ray was again determined to do it. He was an incredible man, we are all going to miss him at Little Bridge House.”

ABOVE: Ray during his wing walk 

Eddie Farwell, Co-founder and Chief Executive for CHSW said that Ray was an incredible ambassador for the charity since its humble beginnings in 1991:

“Fundraising, volunteering, taking tours and giving talks, Ray did it all over the years and will be sorely missed by all his friends at Little Bridge House. As we mourn his loss, we shall also give thanks for the countless hours he dedicated to our special cause, how lucky we were.”