An annual hospice charity event that gives people the chance to remember their loved ones while also raising essential funds netted £26,000 after going online with the support of sponsors Bristol-based mutual society National Friendly.
Children’s Hospice South West’s Memories by Moonlight event traditionally includes a fundraising walk in Falmouth, Cornwall. 
With the coronavirus forcing the physical event to be cancelled this year, the charity decided to stage a virtual version – giving people the chance to either take their own memory walk or other activity and raise sponsorship in their loved one’s name or simply make a donation in their memory.
In line with other regional charities, Children’s Hospice South West (CHSW) – which runs the Charlton Farm hospice at Wraxall, near Bristol - has suffered a major falloff in income this year due to the coronavirus pandemic.
CHSW fundraiser Kiley Pearce said: “This year more than ever we felt it was really important to still provide people with the opportunity to join together – albeit virtually – to remember and celebrate the lives of their loved ones.
“We were overwhelmed by the response to the memory ceremony on the evening and the number of people who got involved and shared their stories with us.
“We are so grateful to National Friendly for all of their support in promoting the event and of course raising much needed awareness of CHSW across the region.”
National Friendly PR & corporate partnerships executive Kurtis Reece, pictured, second from right, at Charlton Farm with staff, added: “This year has been wrought with challenges in particular for the charity sector.
“We had to adjust our approach and adapt to a new way of supporting CHSW, who rely on local people fundraising and local businesses donating in order to support the need to develop a safe successful way to deliver an impactful virtual event.” 
The poignant memory ceremony was broadcast from CHSW’s Little Harbour hospice in Cornwall via Facebook live and included readings from all three of its hospices, as well as stories from two families who had experienced respite stays, end-of-life care and bereavement support from CHSW.
There was also music from Cornwall Rock Choir and its conductor Marcus Alleyne, allowing time for the 360-plus people who took part from their homes to reflect and light memory candles.
National Friendly CEO Jonathan Long added: “We aim to make a fundamental difference to local lives within our community, even with the lingering threat of the coronavirus pandemic.
“Our sponsorship has contributed massively to the fantastic amount of money that has been raised to help provide vital support for children with life-limiting conditions and their families.”
CHSW, which celebrates its 30th anniversary next year, has continued to support hundreds of children with life limiting illnesses and their families across the South West through the pandemic. Its three hospices remain open 24/7 for emergency stays and end-of-life care while home visits and virtual support to families have been introduced to enable them to continue having vital care and support when they need it most.
CHSW is the only children’s hospice in the South West. It costs around £11m to run the three hospice sites a year, almost all of which comes from voluntary contributions.
