A GRANDMOTHER from Hinton St George, chose to celebrate her upcoming 80th birthday by asking her family to donate to their local children’s hospice, Children's Hospice South West (CHSW), in lieu of gifts.

Christine Holmes Studley said: "Having asked my grandchildren, as they began planning for my 80th birthday on October 17, if they would make a donation to CHSW instead of presents, my amazing family came up with the idea of a family sponsored run which would enhance the donations and so we all signed up for RUN Barnstaple! This is such a wonderful gift for me having spent my working life involved with young children and hopefully enriching their lives. What a fortunate mum I am."

The family all took part in RUN Barnstaple on Sunday, September 29, alongside over 700 other participants, raising £1000 for CHSW.

Chrissie’s son, Simon, has also signed up for an upcoming run in Exeter to raise even more funds for the charity which provides care and support to families living in the South West, who have children with life-limiting conditions.

CHSW has been caring for children and young people with life-threatening conditions, and their families, for over 30 years.

The charity provides specialist palliative and hospice care for the whole family, a sibling support service for brothers and sisters, emergency support, end of life care and a bereavement service.

Chrissie has been a supporter of CHSW for many years after talking to a friend about the work that the charity does: “It was a child’s red patterned cardigan which first caught my eye as my friend held it with care in her hands. As we chatted, the story of the woollen red cardigan unfolded. It had belonged to a little girl who had died at Children’s Hospice South West’s hospice in Barnstaple, Little Bridge House, surrounded by her loving family.  From then on when given the opportunity, I have endeavoured to raise funds for CHSW.”

“Thank you to everyone who donated, helping to provide the children's hospice with funds to make life more comfortable for the children and families who are comforted by this facility. I have an amazingly supportive family, with sons, grandchildren and their partners, 12 runners in all, who lined up and joined in, giving a boost to funds and to each other."