A CREDITON fun day organised by Terry Matthews in memory of her husband Mark raised more than £7,000 for local charity Hospiscare and a cancer charity.

Terry and the Hospicare Crediton Support Group which helped at Mark’s Day last September popped into the Exeter hospice to present a cheque for £2,850 but gift aid takes it to more than £3,000 for Hospiscare.

The remaining money went to AMMF, the cholangiocarcinoma charity, for research into liver cancer, which Mark had.

Terry, who took over running Marlin Cars after Mark’s death in April 2014, opened the local factory, held a family fun day there and an evening meal with fireworks. More than 500 people attended the event.

She said: “I could not have done it without the support of more than 100 local companies and organisations, they were amazing and I’d like to thank them and all the people who gave because it was Mark, because it was Hospiscare and because it was Crediton.

"I’d also like to thank my team, they were my close friends who helped me run the event and gave up their time on many occasions as well as on the day. It was a really exciting day and there was a real community spirit.”

Terry also paid tribute to Hospiscare staff who looked after both Mark and her. “When Mark was first diagnosed with cancer, at the age of 55 and told he had just four months to live, he did not want to know about Hospiscare but our doctor explained the help they could give us.

“There was a big part of me which did not believe the diagnosis and you are in shock. I thought it was the end when the doctor referred us to Hospiscare but I did not appreciate the many ways Hospiscare can help.

“Hilary Squire, our Hospiscare community nurse was our saving grace. She immediately looked at funding for us and I was really grateful for that. She gave us so much support in terms of her knowledge of the cancer and the drugs, even our doctor said she knew far more than he did about it.

“She was always there. Hilary is quite special and she’s a true professional who is very discerning and she just read the situation so well. She would sense when to say the right things.”

“Mark was very strong-willed and although they gave him four months he fought for 18 months. He visited Hospiscare’s Exeter hospice for specialist help but I nursed him at home which is where he died.”

Afterwards Terry came into the hospice for massages. “I didn’t have time for this when Mark was alive but after he passed I booked in for massages and really enjoyed them. I could be myself at the hospice. I felt safe there.”

Terry and her family organised the fun day as a way of giving back to Hospiscare. “It was also another healing process for us,” she said. “It’s also important to give back.”

If anyone would like to support Hospiscare they can contact Sharon Ewart on 01392 688095 or email: [email protected] who will be happy to put people in touch with a local friendly fundraising group.

Alan Quick