ROWCROFT Hospice’s 36-hour fundraising appeal has smashed its £200,000 target.

The Every Moment Matters campaign raise more than £211,000 thanks to the generosity of its supporters.

Among the top six fundraisers was Ipplepen Cricket Club which raised a total of £10,567.

The ambitious matched-funding campaign challenged the community to come together over a single 36-hour period – and they rose to the occasion.

Thanks to generous match funding pledged by local businesses, groups and individuals, every donation made during the appeal was doubled.

Alison Upton, Appeal Manager at Rowcroft Hospice, said: ‘We are completely overwhelmed by the response.

‘To see our community come together in this way – donating, sharing, fundraising and cheering us on – has been incredibly moving.

‘Every single gift, no matter the size, represents someone choosing to support local families at one of the hardest times of their lives.

‘The incredible funds raised will make a real and immediate difference, helping us continue to provide specialist care and support to people across South Devon when every moment truly matters.’

The appeal’s ‘Champion’ fundraisers pulled out all the stops to make the appeal a roaring success, going to extraordinary lengths to share the appeal far and wide.

The top six fundraisers were: Rowcroft’s Hospice at Home Team (£25,709), Rowcroft volunteer Jane Watson (£15,687), Ipplepen Cricket Club (£10,567), Torbay Business Forum (£8,296), Rowcroft supporter Kate Holmes (£7,292) and Rowcroft volunteer Di Feasby (£6,782).

As a volunteer in Rowcroft’s Inpatient Unit, fundraiser Jane Watson sees first-hand the difference that Rowcroft makes every day.

She said: ‘Over many years I have witnessed the commitment, the compassion the love , the support, the strength given by all the staff to patients their families and their friends. ‘Over the last few years I have been caring for my own precious parents.

‘It has been a rollercoaster of great emotions, overwhelming exhaustion both mentally and physically. I was so lost and lonely.

‘But with the amazing support and help of carers, Rowcroft outpatients teams and our wonderful Hospice at Home team, we managed to keep my darling parents safe and comfortable in their own home where they wanted to be for the end of their lives.

‘For this I will be forever, eternally thankful. I feel so passionate that our wonderful Rowcroft Hospice continues the care and comfort for all end-of-life care patients, their families and friends.’

Funds raised through the appeal will help Rowcroft continue delivering care through its Inpatient Unit, Community Team and Hospice at Home service, supporting people to be where they feel most comfortable, surrounded by those they love. The success of the campaign comes at a challenging time for hospices nationally, with rising costs and increasing demand placing significant pressure on services.

With only around a quarter of its funding coming from the NHS, Rowcroft relies heavily on the generosity of the local community to sustain its vital end-of-life and palliative care.

Rowcroft Hospice thanked everyone who donated, shared the campaign on social media, provided match funding or encouraged friends and family to get involved.