Children's Hospice South West founder and chief executive dies

The founder of a hospice charity providing care to babies and children across the West of England has died.

Eddie Farwell co-founded Children's Hospice South West (CHSW) with his late wife Jill in 1991 from the laundry room of their house in North Devon to support families whose children have life-limiting conditions.

The couple's two eldest children, Katie and Tom, had both been diagnosed with a rare degenerative genetic disorder that meant they did not live to reach adulthood.

At the time, the family’s only opportunity for respite was a hospice in Oxford, so the duo launched a £1m fundraising appeal to set up their own in Barnstaple in 1995.

Huge demand for its services led to an appeal to build Charlton Farm, near Bristol, which opened in 2007 and was followed by Little Harbour in St Austell in 2011.

Mr Farwell was awarded an MBE for his services to charity and children’s palliative care in 2014. He announced his retirement as the charity's chief executive last year, but was diagnosed with motor neurone disease just a few months later. He died of the neurological disorder on Thursday, March 27.

He is survived by his daughter Lizzy.

She said: "“My Dad was a kind, thoughtful, brave person always and being able to watch what he had achieved both through Children's Hospice South West and sharing wonderful moments as dad and daughter I will never forget.

"Something I have always admired about my dad is his ability to inspire others, make people feel at ease and to warm their hearts in such a positive way, whether he has known them for five minutes or for 10 years.

"Dad’s diagnosis was a huge shock, but being with him, caring for him and supporting him through his diagnosis was an honour, always maintaining his sense of humour and I wouldn’t have had it any other way.

"I was with him right to the very end. He was so incredibly brave and I have lost a huge part of me in dad and miss him so much already. I take comfort from the fact that he is now at peace with my beautiful Mum, brother and sister.”

Children’s Hospice South West’s incoming chief executive Phil Morris, has pledged to preserve "Eddie's legacy" and continue "advancing his mission". He said: "The heartfelt response to this news is a testament to the remarkable gift that Eddie bestowed upon our region.

"It was an honour to meet him to hear his story and advice. Meeting his daughter Lizzy has further deepened my appreciation for the incredible history of our charity."

Tricia Morris, CHSW chair of trustees, added: "Eddie was a remarkable man. Words do not adequately describe the legacy he leaves. In his 20 years as chief executive he has crafted a very special, caring and supportive organisation."