| Hospice Welcome For Cornish Pirates | |||||
Squad News A midweek visit and overnight stop at RAF Chivenor has provided a change of routine for the Cornish Pirates as part of their pre-season preparation. Having enjoyed a barbecue on the evening of their arrival, it was soon forgotten the following morning when a surprise 5am alarm call demanded that the squad rise with the sun before being put through their paces on the unforgiving dunes of Braunton Burrows. Led by a Royal Marine, the players worked tremendously hard for 90 minutes. Part of the reason for travelling to RAF Chivenor was also visit 'Little Bridge House' as guests of Children's Hospice South West . Little Bridge House was set up by Jill and Eddie Farwell in 1991, after they had spent many years travelling to Helen House in Oxford with their own two life limited children. It opened in 1995 and instantly provided support for up to 200 families in the south west.
Children's Hospice South West is dedicated to making the most of short and precious lives - the generous support of the public vital for the ongoing running costs of the hospice, which equates to £3 million a year for each of its hospices, Little Bridge House in North Devon and Charlton Farm in North Somerset. The Cornish Pirates have been delighted to play their small part in importantly helping to raise the profile of the charity, and will continue to do so when able, the squad given an opportunity to witness direct the wonderful work undertaken at Little Bridge House.
Jim McKay, Head Coach for the Cornish Pirates commented "We were all blown away by the service that Children's Hospice South West provides to children and families from the region. After meeting some of the children the hospice supports, the squad were really inspired, and as a group we are all very keen to lend our support." On behalf of Children's Hospice South West, Emma Puckey advised that all the families staying at Little Bridge House had enjoyed the thrill of a sunshine-soaked visit from Captain Benbow and the squad of the Cornish Pirates. She said "The boys arrived with arms full of goodies and left with great big smiles - having managed to get very wet in the rainbow spray of our Narnia mult-sensory garden. They serenaded one very lucky young lady who was celebrating the fact that she was seven years old - 'Happy Birthday' having never sounded better!" A big thank-you was expressed to one and all, it a day that everyone will remember.
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