A NEWTON Abbot woman is pledging her support to Rowcroft Hospice’s fund-raising new campaign for the care her parents received.

Jill Cross says Rowcroft’s care for her parents, Barbara and Brian Hopkinson, made an immeasurable difference and: ‘I don’t think I could have coped without Rowcroft.’

Her backing is for the charity’s aim to raised £200,000 in 36 hours with support from the local community.

Through the ‘Every Moment Matters Appeal’ - a 36-hour matched funding campaign - the hospice aims to raise a staggering £200,000 to fund specialist care for people with life-limiting illnesses across the region.

The campaign starts at 10am on Sunday February 22 and finish at 10pm on Monday February 23.

During this period, all donations will be matched by local businesses, groups and generous individuals.

Jill described how staff at Rowcroft helped support the whole family.

She said: ‘When I brought Dad into the hospice, the staff gently asked if there were any family issues they should know about.

‘I explained my sister hadn’t spoken to Mum or Dad in over two decades. I tried so many times to help them reconcile, but it had never happened.’

Rowcroft provided Jill with the encouragement to ask her father if he wished to see his estranged daughter one last time.

Jill said: ‘He agreed, so I made the call and miraculously, she came.

‘They talked, reconciled and made their peace; it was perfect and brought so much comfort to them both. If he had passed away without that moment, it would have haunted me for the rest of my life.’

Rowcroft then arranged for Brian to go home for his final days, as he wished, and the charity’s dedicated Hospice at Home team visited regularly to offer specialist care and ensure he was as comfortable as possible.

As he approached the end, the nurse stayed late after her shift, not wanting to leave his side.

Jill said: ‘That’s the difference that Rowcroft makes. Someone being there with you, guiding you, giving you choices, and supporting you every step of the way.’

After Brian died, Jill's mother's health declined further and the Hospice at Home team stepped in again, enabling Barbara to remain at home with her family.

She said: ‘When Mum passed, I was there, holding her. Rowcroft ensured I was there at the right time. It was calm, just as it should be.’

Funds raised through the Every Moment Matters Appeal will help Rowcroft continue providing specialist care and support to patients and their loved ones across South Devon.

The appeal comes at a critical time for hospice care. Across the UK, two in five hospices are planning cuts to services due to rising costs, limited government funding, falling donations, and a growing demand for end-of-life care.

For Rowcroft, last year’s increases to National Insurance Contributions and the National Living Wage added £225,000 to the charity’s annual costs.

With only 24per cent of its income funded by the NHS, the hospice relies heavily on generosity of the local community to continue its vital work, and is urging the local community to get behind the appeal.

Donations can be made online at rowcrofthospice.org.uk/every-moment-matters