1920s Valentine’s fundraiser to support local charities

A 1920s-themed Valentine’s Soirée will be held in Barnstaple next month, raising funds for two Devon charities; Royal Devon Hospitals Charity and ChemoHero.

The fundraiser, organised by North Devon District and Barnstaple Town Councillor Julie Hunt, will take place at the Barnstaple Hotel and promises an evening of glamour, entertainment, and community spirit. 

Julie, a former Mayor of Barnstaple, has raised thousands of pounds for local causes since 2022 through her events.

ABOVE: Councillor Julie Hunt is holding a Valentine’s Soirée fundraiser

Guests will enjoy a three-course meal followed by tea and coffee, an auction, a raffle, and live music from the Blushing Ushers. 

Tickets are £45 per person or £400 for a table of 10.

Julie said: “I really enjoy organising these events and this year, I’m looking forward to putting on the Ritz in aid of such brilliant local causes.”

Half of the proceeds will go to the Royal Devon Hospitals Charity’s Fern Centre, which provides wellbeing support at North Devon District Hospital, while the other half will support ChemoHero, a charity providing comfort and practical items to chemotherapy patients.

Alice Hope, Community Fundraiser for Royal Devon Hospitals Charity, said: “The Fern Centre offers a whole range of free counselling, complementary therapies, information and wellbeing support to anyone in North Devon anyone affected by cancer.

“The centre opened in 2020 following a £1.5m fundraising appeal and Royal Devon Hospitals Charity continues to raise the money to needed to cover the centre’s annual running costs.

“We’re looking forward to another fabulous evening of fundraising and are incredibly thankful to Julie for her continued support of the Fern Centre.”

ChemoHero Co-founder and Operations Manager Rob Wallis added:“At ChemoHero, we provide boxes of kindness to patients starting chemotherapy at North Devon District Hospital, offering them comfort, practical items, and a reminder they’re not alone.

“It’s great to be working with the Royal Devon Hospitals Charity and Julie. She first chose us as her charity when she was Mayor of Barnstaple, and that decision played a pivotal role in helping us establish ourselves within the community. Her continued dedication has meant so much to us and the cancer patients we support.”

For tickets to the Valentine’s Soirée, visit: www.tickettailor.com/events/valentinessoiree/1526965