THE life of Children’s Hospice South West co-founder Eddie Farwell was celebrated at a memorial service in Exeter Cathedral yesterday, Tuesday, June 17.

Eddie died in March at the age of 73, following a diagnosis of motor neurone disease.

He was co-founder with his late wife Jill of the Children’s Hospice South West and became CEO of the charity after her death.

The hundreds in attendance at the service was testament to the impact Eddie had on so many, as well as the legacy he leaves behind. Among those attending were former colleagues, families who had been supported by Children’s Hospice South West, as well as those from the wider South West community and representatives from across the UK charity sector.

For those who were not able to attend the service in person, a live stream was available ensuring that everyone could pay their respects and celebrate all that Eddie had achieved.

The service was led by Reverend Hilary Kemp and Reverend Canon Cate Edmonds, with music performed by Mousehole Male Voice Choir, folk singers Cara Dillon and Sam Lakeman and La La Choir. Heartfelt tributes and readings were shared by many including Eddie’s daughter Lizzy Farwell who reflected on her ‘dear Dad’ as someone who she was ‘so incredibly proud of’.

Speaking about the Service Lizzy said: ‘To know that he was so loved, admired and respected brings me great comfort’.

Eddie and his late wife Jill founded Children’s Hospice South West in 1991 following their own experience of having to travel from North Devon to Oxford to access hospice care for two of their children, Katie and Tom, who had life-limiting illnesses

The charity supports more than 500 babies, children, young people and their families every year.

This support can start from when a diagnosis is made of a life-limiting condition, right through to their bereavement journey