"We are blown away by the vital work of the charity's team. It's just phenomenal"
"WE'RE A CHARITY that seeks to walk with children, young people and families through some of the most challenging times of their lives," says Paul Courtney, Director of Fundraising for Children's Hospice South West. "Our mission is to help make the most of short and precious lives." The charity oversees a network of three children's hospices in Devon, Somerset and Cornwall, the closest to THE PIG-at Combe being Little Bridge House in Devon.
These are places where families can be supported by skilled, trained staff and enjoy meaningful activities with unwell children that would be impossible in a hospital setting. "We offer physical spaces with wonderful facilities, with specialist bathroom and bedroom accommodation, but also ball pools, sensory rooms and beautiful gardens where families can spend time together," explains Paul. Staff here can also support families with unwell children to enjoy outside activities that would otherwise be challenging - "Things like being able to attend a fireworks night celebration, or seeing the sea and dipping your toes in," Paul says. "We can help families who don't havelong with their children to create a treasure trove of memories."
When it comes to funding this meaningful work, the charity is very much dependent on the goodwill of the public and businesses in the local area. "We get about 10 to 12 per cent of our funding from statutory or government sources," says Paul, "but the rest has to come from fundraising, whether that's from individuals or from businesses who choose to help us - like THE PIG-at Combe."
"We are blown away by the vital work of the charity's team at Little Bridge House," says Chris Charles, Hotel Director at THE PIG-at Combe. "The way they look after not only unwell children, but siblings and the wider family that's affected is just phenomenal." THE PIG-at Combe supports Children's Hospice South West as its chosen local charity in many ways, including by adding an optional £1 donation to the 25 mile menu. To date, guests eating with us here have generously donated £9,139 to the cause.
PIG team members have found many adventurous and imaginative ways to show their commitment to, and support for, this extraordinary charity. These include collaborating with other local businesses to donate some impressive prizes for a Christmas raffle. And to raise more funds, team members from THE PIG-at Combe, THE PIG-near Bath, head office and THE PIG-at Harlyn Bay undertook a three-day sponsored walk in October 2023. "We walked from Bude to Boscastle, Boscastle to Port Isaac and Port Isaac to THE PIG-at Harlyn Bay," says Kate Harvey, THE PIGs' Group Sustainability Manager.
"It was incredibly challenging, but also so rewarding. Reaching Boscastle after a tough day of ups and downs felt like a real achievement - it was such a tough hike, my walking boots literally fell to pieces on the descent into town!
"The final stretch through Padstow and on to Harlyn Bay was a lot gentler, with sweeping views of the Camel Estuary and golden beaches that lifted our spirits. Arriving at THE PIG-at Harlyn Bay, tired but elated, we all felt a deep sense of accomplishment and pride in supporting Children's Hospice South West."
Other PIG team members have put their practical skills and hospitality smarts to good use to support the hospice directly.
This charity gave us the chance to think differently about how we could help," says Chris. "Because it's all about giving families a break, we have been able to send some Potting Shed team members to the hospice to offer short treatments for parents. And because the hospice has such big, beautiful grounds, some of our grounds guys went to add some extra herbs and plants, and generally lend some of their muscle and expertise. We want to add a personal touch. It's a choice that our team can make when it comes to the paid volunteer days that they have with us. Knowing you're supporting such an impressive charity, here in our local community, has meant a lot to our PIG team members."
Find out more, or make a donation, at chsw.org.uk
