by Alan Quick

LOCAL charity Hospiscare has received a welcome boost - the donation of £1,500.

On Sunday, July 23, a mass hair cut event was held in Crediton’s Town Square which raised more than £13,500 for the charity.

Haircut 100 was the inspiration of brother and sister, Hannah and Ian Stoyle, who live in the town.

More than 35 people had their hair cut, heads shaved or long hair cut to be made into wigs at the event, largely under gazebos on the Town Square because of the heavy rain showers that day.

Hannah Stoyle told the “Courier” after the event: “I am totally overwhelmed by what we have achieved with Haircut 100, it really is a phenomenal amount of money, and just goes to show what a small group of local people can do when they join together.

“I would like to say a massive thank you to R and G Barbers, Nikki Blanchford Hairdressing, The Three Little Pigs, The Green House, Tesco, The Farmers’ Market, Jo Ward Electrical Services, Hospiscare Fundraising Team, Mid Devon District Council and Crediton Town Council, Sandie Blake, Andrew Drayton, Jason Cliff, and Hannah Stubbs.

“Finally, none of this would have been possible without the courage of those that volunteered to have their hair cut, our fantastic helpers on the day, and the amazing support and generosity from everyone who donated to the cause. Thank you all so much."

She explained that Gift Aid had boosted the total raised.

MATCHED FUNDING

One of those who took part was Alena Woolacott of Fix Auto Mid Devon on the Lords Meadow Industrial Estate in Crediton, who recently received a matched-funding cheque for the charity from one of the businesses she approached for sponsorship, Enterprise Rent-A-Car.

Jonathan Brownhill and Ben Thompson, from the firm presented the bumper cheque to Alena and Hannah Stoyle, who in turn presented it directly to Liane Harding, Hospiscare Community Fundraiser.

Alena thanked Enterprise Rent-A-Car for its support and Hannah said that the total that Haircut 100 had raised for Hospiscare was now more than £15,000.

Liane thanked all those who took part and supported the charity and the Enterprise Rent-A-Car charitable fund for its donation.

Previously Hannah and Ian explained: “Two years ago we lost our brother to cancer. He spent his last few weeks staying with Hospiscare in Exeter.

“The level of care, support, understanding and professionalism was truly amazing, as I’m sure those of you who have come into contact with this service already know.”

They said it was because of this that they were inspired to organise the event to raise money for Hospiscare and those who had hair seven inches or longer cut off and donated to Little Princess Trust, the hair then used to make wigs for ill children.

Hospiscare provides free and specialised nursing to the terminally ill in Exeter, Mid and East Devon.

It looks after more than 700 patients at any one time, supporting patients in their own homes and in its hospices. It relies on the generosity of the community to provide this vital service, and many volunteers and fundraisers.

The charity was started by Dr John Searle when he moved to Exeter and worked with the then Bishop of Crediton to initiate a local hospice service.

In 1982 more than 400 people crowded into Exeter’s Guildhall when a £350,000 public appeal was launched to establish a community-based nurse service covering six miles from the cathedral.

The Exeter hospice was opened in 1992 and extended in 2011. A hospice was opened in Tiverton in 2011 and a day hospice established in Honiton in 2015.