The Queen visits North Devon to help local hospice mark its 30th anniversary

A small number of children, their families and staff were delighted when Her Majesty Queen Camilla paid a visit to Little Bridge House children’s hospice at Fremington on Wednesday (July 16) to mark the 30th anniversary of the South West’s first children’s hospice.

This was the first visit since the death of Children’s Hospice South West’s co-founder earlier this year, Eddie Farwell.

Eddie and Jill Farwell founded CHSW in 1991 following their own experience of having to travel from North Devon to Oxford to access hospice care for two of their children, Katie and Tom, who had life-limiting conditions.

READ MORE: Tributes pour in for “inspirational” hospice founder

Their vision was for no family in the South West to have to travel more than 90 minutes to reach their nearest hospice and that became a reality when they opened Little Bridge House in Barnstaple in 1995.

Her Majesty, who is the Royal patron of CHSW, was taken on a tour of Little Bridge House children’s hospice by its new chief executive, Phil Morris and met several staff.

Above: Credit: Drew McDonald Photography

These ranged from CHSW’s first employees to current staff members, to demonstrate 30 years of care and support provided by the hospice. The Queen also observed a music therapy session with children supported by the charity.

During the visit, she joined a reception in the hospice gardens with staff members and families who have been supported over the years.

Mr Morris spoke about Eddie and Jill Farwell’s lasting legacy before inviting the Queen and Lizzy Farwell, Eddie and Jill’s daughter, to unveil a commemorative photograph of the Farwell family which will be placed in all three CHSW hospices.

The Queen was gifted a handmade card designed by a sibling supported by the Sibling Support Team at Little Bridge House and a posy of flowers.

The Queen has been Royal patron of CHSW since 2015 and has visited all three of CHSW’s hospices during her time as patron.

Reflecting on the day, Mr Morris said: “Her Majesty the Queen's visit to Little Bridge House comes at an incredibly special time, as we honour the remarkable founding and legacy of our co-founder, Eddie Farwell MBE and the past 30 years from when our doors first opened.

“We celebrate all of the children and families that we have cared for and will continue to care for, and acknowledge our wonderful teams and supporters, past and present, who have made this possible. 

“We are profoundly grateful for Her Majesty’s great encouragement as our Royal patron and the pivotal role this plays in amplifying our mission, to make the most of short and precious lives, for generations to come.”

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