Norma Delafield raised a phenomenal £830 from a sponsored headshave for the new Seamoor Chemotherapy & Day Treatment Unit at North Devon District Hospital.

Norma raised the fantastic amount with support by Colorseum, who helped her choose her wig and did her make up for her sponsored headshave, her family, Annabelle Sutton, Dianne Tucker as well as the Phoenix Line Dancers (known as the Jellyattricks), her the quiz night girls and her girl friends from pilates, Glebe Court & Fields and the staff at St Margaret’s Junior School in Northam.

Over and Above Fundraiser Julie Whitton said “When I first met Norma she told me she was determined to raise a lot of money for the chemo unit because of the amazing support the staff gave to her. The £830 that Norma, with the help of her friends, raised will help us purchase equipment for the new Seamoor Unit which will benefit many of our cancer patients treated in the unit.”

Renowned Exmoor enthusiast and wildlife walker Ivan Huxtable organised the 10-mile sponsored walk last year to help raise money for Victoria Ward Cardiology Fund at North Devon District Hospital and the North Devon Hospice.

The walk took in the magnificent views over the moors at West and East Anstey Commons and finished at Hinam Farm near Dulverton where walkers enjoyed a home-cooked stew and dumplings .

A phenomenal £8,760 was raised for the two charities – making it the most success Exmoor Ramble yet.

Ivan has been organising the event for the past 25 year, and has raised more than £100,000 in total for local charities.

Ivan said: “I am absolutely delighted with the result and the funds will be a great help to the two charities.

“It is a lot of hard work organising these events and a lot of people help behind the scenes to make it such a success. Exmoor has some stunning scenery and it is wonderful to be able to share it with our walkers.”

Over and Above Fundraiser Julie Whitton added: “Ivan is an amazing organiser, and has worked extremely hard for us over the years organising the excellent Exmoor Ramble.

“The money raised for the hospital charity will be used to purchase five medical reclining chairs that enable our patients who need coronary care to sleep more easily, making their time on the ward much more comfortable”.

The Rotary Club of Torrington donated a fabulous £370 for the Special Care Baby Unit to support the hospital charity with their Appeal to purchase much needed equipment to support the sickest and most vulnerable babies born at North Devon District Hospital.

The Rotary Club of Torrington raised the funds by organising a local concert in Torrington with the Great Torrington School Choir and Rejoice the Voice Choir from Barnstaple.  They also raised funds for Great Torrington School.  So far, the SCBU Appeal has raised over £90,000 towards its £250,000 target thanks to the overwhelming support from the people of North Devon.

Photograph L-R:  Over and Above Fundraiser Julie Whitton and Rotary Club of Torrington Chairman Sue Mills

Saunton Sands Golf Club raised a magnificent £8,764.82 for equipment in the new Seamoor Chemotherapy and Day Treatment Unit.  Both the mens and women’s club organised a wide variety of events during 2015, one of which included Club Captain Stuart Charnock potting 90 holes and Rick Fielder running 55 miles around the golf course over 12 hours in a golf v run challenge.

Over and Above hospital charity fundraiser Julie Whitton said “Saunton Golf Club have raised a magnificent sum of money and we were overwhelmed when they brought the cheque in.  This fantastic donation will enable us purchase much needed additional equipment for the new chemotherapy unit.”  The Saunton Sands Ladies Section have chosen to support the hospital charity again, and this year they will be supporting the Special Care Baby Unit Appeal.

Photograph: Haematology Clinical Nurse Specialist Mel Bowyer, Chemotherapy & Day Treatment Unit Manager Emma Thoms, Saunton Ladies Club Captain 2015 Jan Reynolds. Saunton Men’s Captail 2015 Stuart Charnock and Over and Above Fundraiser Julie Whitton

“Cloud 9” and various singing and musician friends raised £1,200 for Seamoor Unit patient special treatments, by holding a number of musical concerts and events. Nine local entertainers from across north Devon performed at Over 60s clubs, the village of Bradworthy ran a Wine & Wisdom Quiz Evening, and several smaller events such as an afternoon tea, name the doll competition, cake raffle and pub collections from the folk group “Peculiar Folk” made up the total.

Their cheque was presented to the Unit by most of the main drivers of the fundraising team, Alastair Ashworth from Woolsery, Linda Atherton (absent – Andy Atherton) from Hartland, Shirleyann Andrews and Roger Andrews, from Bradworthy. They were all delighted to be shown around the Unit and offered to raise funds next year for another part of the hospital.

The opening of Fortescue Ward, specialising in helping dementia patients, registered as a cause close to their hearts, and the group aims to raise £1,000 in 2016 to help the ward wherever possible.  News of their 2016 events will be awaited with interest!