It will take place on Saturday, 24th and Sunday, 25th June, from 10am to 4pm each day in Royal Avenue Gardens.

While visitors watch, talk to and buy from artists and craft workers displaying their talents, there will be a wide range of music, with teas, homemade cakes and snacks provided by Children’s Hospice volunteers.

The charity was founded by Eddie Farwell and his late wife, Jill, after they experienced for themselves the urgent need for hospice care for children in the South West.

Their two eldest children had life-limiting illnesses and they had to travel over four hours, from North Devon to Helen House in Oxford, then the country’s only children’s hospice. Sadly, Jill and the two children died but the couple’s wonderful work continues.

The charity now provides hospice care for over 500 children with life-limiting conditions and their whole family from across the South West.

This costs £8.6 million each and every year, of which only 15% is provided by government, the rest has to be raised by fundraising. Proceeds from this event will help CHSW to make the most of short and precious lives.

The event has been organised by Dartmouth & District Friends Group who raise funds and awareness of this vital charity.

Last year, celebrating 25 years since the founding of CHSW, the Friends Group raised the tremendous total of £40,671 during the year.

In the 20 years that the Friends Group has been in existence, an amazing £361,241 was raised through their own fundraising events and street collections. Adding donations received mainly as a result of awareness-raising within the area, they have helped to raise an even more amazing £660,942 in the same period. An achievement for which the small band of local volunteers is understandably proud.

This friendly group meets once a month to organise events locally and volunteers are always most welcome. For details, contact Sue Tweed: [email protected] or Sarah Green on 01803 722340.