Rugby Ramble raises £10,000 for Sidmouth Hospice at Home

Members of the rugby club and supporters from the wider community set off from The Blackmore for a hike around the Sid Valley, stopping for refreshments at The Bowd Inn, The Volunteer Inn and the charity's HQ in Sidford. They finished at Sidmouth RFC for a complimentary pasty and a drink.

The event has raised more than £10,000 for Sidmouth Hospice at Home, which relies on fundraising and donations to provide its specialist end-of-life care.

Sidmouth Hospice at Home's CEO Al Cameron said: “It was a fantastic day. Seeing the Gents and a sea of green T-Shirts assembled at The Blackmore was really moving. It’s wonderful that the community would come together not only to raise funds to support those in need, but to raise awareness about our charity and the key role we play within Sidmouth and the Sid Valley. We cannot thank the club committee, the 160 participants and the many businesses that stepped up to contribute, enough.”

Sidmouth RFC chair Matthew Barrett said: "We have been absolutely thrilled to see the success of this event for Sidmouth Hospice at Home. The result has been outstanding, and we are looking forward to building on this year on year. It’s brilliant for our club, the charity and the community.”

Sidmouth Hospice at Home provides specialist end-of-life and palliative care for those living with life-limiting illness in the Sidmouth and Sid Valley community. It funds the provision of eleven specialist palliative care nurses and wellbeing services, enabling patients to receive the care in their own homes, and has been widely praised for its pioneering approach. But it currently receives no government financial support to meet the yearly running costs of over £750,000, and has to raise its own funding.

For further information on the charity and its services, and to donate, telephone 01395 578707, visit sidmouthhospiceathome.org.uk or call into their Information Hub at 42 High Street, Sidmouth, open Monday to Friday 10am until 2pm.