Children's Hospice South West co-founder Eddie Farwell dies
The co-founder of Children's Hospice South West (CHSW) has died, the charity has said. Eddie Farwell set up the charity with his late wife Jill in 1991 from their home in north Devon after two of their children were diagnosed with a rare degenerative genetic disorder.The charity said the former CEO, who retired in 2024, died on Thursday after he lost his battle with motor neurone disease.Mr Farwell's daughter, Lizzy, said: "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."
Lizzy said her father's diagnosis in 2024 was a "huge shock" but that he had always maintained a sense of humour."I was with him right to the very end," she said. "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," she added.The Farwells founded the charity after their two eldest children, Katie and Tom, were diagnosed with a condition that meant they would not live to adulthood.
At the time, the family's only opportunity for respite was by travelling to Helen House children's hospice in Oxford.The centre inspired Jill and Eddie to establish a similar charity for families in the South West.The charity's new CEO, Phil Morris, 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. "As the newly appointed CEO, I am dedicated to preserving Eddie's legacy, advancing his mission, and ensuring that CHSW continues to evolve to make the most of short and precious lives now and beyond the horizon."
Tricia Morris, chair of trustees for Children's Hospice South West, said Mr Farwell was a remarkable man. "Words do not adequately describe the legacy he leaves," she said."In his 20 years as chief executive he has crafted a very special, caring and supportive organisation. "Children's Hospice South West is like an extended family, not just for the babies, children and young people with life-limiting conditions and their families but for our staff, volunteers and supporters."The charity said Mr Farwell was awarded an MBE for his services to charity and children's palliative care in December 2014.It said his legacy was three hospices; Little Bridge House in north Devon, Charlton Farm in north Somerset and Little Harbour near St Austell in Cornwall.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Evening Standard
15-05-2025
- Evening Standard
Omaze launches £4million West Sussex beach house prize draw backed by Eddie Redmayne
Eddie said: "Ten years ago I became patron of the MND Association having learnt about the devastation of motor neurone disease while researching and filming the Theory of Everything. I was struck by the brutality of MND, and how it robs so many people of a future with their families in the cruellest of ways. Every day in the UK, six people are diagnosed with MND and six people die from it.
Edinburgh Live
06-05-2025
- Edinburgh Live
Celebrity Big Brother star tells fans he is 'at the end' in cancer battle update
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info TV icon James Whale has told fans he 'doesn't expect to live until Christmas '. Whale, 73, issued an update to fans on his cancer battle adding that he had been hospitalised with flu over the festive period. The former Celebrity Big Brother star, had a stint in intensive care. After being diagnosed with stage-four kidney cancer in 2020, James has announced that his long-running show on TalkTV could finish within the next few weeks, reports the Daily Record. Making the tragic announcement alongside his co-host on TalkTV, Ash Gould, the star said: "I'm at the end of my cancer journey. There is no treatment I can have anymore." He added: "I can't tell you how grateful I am to Talk to actually let me on the air and sit next to Ash, which is a real pain in the butt, but I've been doing it for 25 years!" James was hospitalised with flu over the festive period, leading to a stint in intensive care. At the time, his wife shared an update, saying: "After a worrying week I am happy to report that @THEJamesWhale is out of ICU and back at home, having batted off the Grim Reaper yet again." She added: "This time he tried with a bout of Influenza A, but without success. Our hero is home for NYE." Last April, while receiving his MBE, he confessed he thought his days were numbered. He has been battling cancer since 2000 when he first had a kidney removed. Sign up for Edinburgh Live newsletters for more headlines straight to your inbox Despite his tragic health update, James joked: "It might actually be helping me, you never know, so I don't let that cloud my judgment - but on the medication I am on, I'm all over the place. "I'm hoping to go on for another few weeks, few months but as soon as I can't do the show anymore, I won't." In 2020, the presenter revealed that the cancer had aggressively returned, affecting his remaining kidney, spine, brain, and lungs. Speaking to PA news agency after his MBE award, he expressed surprise at being able to attend. He said: "I didn't think I'd be here to receive this. But who knows? I've been terminally ill now for nearly four years. Twenty five years ago I had the original cancer. So I might make the end of this year, I might not. I might be around next year." He remained positive, however, saying: "I think you've got to be positive. I know it's getting a bit worse than it was. You just have to go with the flow really. You have to do that to get through it. One in two of us is going to go on this journey until they find a cure. They will find a cure. But you have to make the most of it." Join Edinburgh Live's Whatsapp Community here and get the latest news sentstraight to your messages. Reflecting on his life journey he noted: "When you're my age and I've had a good life you say maybe you have another year left. Four years ago, we thought we had months." The revered presenter recalled his rise to fame with the James Whale Show in the 1980s, which aired on both Radio Aire in Leeds and ITV. His illustrious career spans five decades, during which time he has made a name for himself in broadcasting and charity work, culminating in an MBE. He stated: "The award has been the pinnacle of doing what I've done. It makes me feel very proud that somebody has recognised the fact that I've spent my entire life being rude to people for entertainment. If my parents were alive, they would be in tears. It's a great honour at the end of your life." The Macmillan Support Line offers confidential support to people living with cancer and their loved ones. If you need to talk, call them on 0808 808 0000.
Metro
05-05-2025
- Metro
TV presenter James Whale, 73, reveals he's 'at the end of cancer journey'
TalkTV presenter James Whale, who has been on screens for over 25 years, has revealed his cancer journey is 'at an end'. The longtime media personality, 73, shared the update on his health to viewers after being diagnosed with stage four kidney cancer five years ago, which has since spread to his spine, brain and lungs. He returned to his long-running show following a stay in intensive care after falling ill with a severe bout of the flu over Christmas. Joined by Talk co-host Ash Gould, he said: 'I'm at the end of my cancer journey. There is no treatment I can have anymore. 'I can't tell you how grateful I am to Talk to actually let me on the air and sit next to Ash, which is a real pain in the butt, but I've been doing it for 25 years!' Speaking about his plans to still work for as long as he could, he quipped: 'It might actually be helping me, you never know, so I don't let that cloud my judgment – but on the medication I am on, I'm all over the place. 'I'm hoping to go on for another few weeks, few months but as soon as I can't do the show anymore, I won't.' In December, the MBE recipient's wife offered an update when he returned home from the hospital. 'After a worrying week I am happy to report that @THEJamesWhale is out of ICU and back at home, having batted off the Grim Reaper yet again. 'This time he tried with a bout of Influenza A, but without success. Our hero is home for NYE,' she wrote in a caption. Whale was first diagnosed with cancer in 2000 when he had his kidney removed. It aggressively returned in 2020. Reflecting on his terminal condition after receiving his MBE last year, he admitted his worries that he 'might not make it to the end of the year.' At the time, he continued: 'I think you've got to be positive. I know it's getting a bit worse than it was. You just have to go with the flow really. 'You have to do that to get through it. One in two of us is going to go on this journey until they find a cure. They will find a cure. But you have to make the most of it.' 'When you're my age and I've had a good life, you say maybe you have another year left. Four years ago, we thought we had months.' Whale rose to prominence in the 1980s with The James Whale Radio Show on Radio Aire in Leeds and has also since gone on to become an Express columnist. Several high-profile people have been open about their journey with cancer in recent months, including Celebrity Big Brother's Trisha Goddard, who scheduled her treatment around her time in the house. More Trending Meanwhile, King Charles, who announced he had been diagnosed with cancer in February 2024, recently spoke about the 'daunting' experience. He wrote: 'A cancer diagnosis need never mean facing the future without hope and support'. Then added: ''Each diagnosis, each new case, will be a daunting and at times frightening experience for those individuals and their loved ones. 'But as one among those statistics myself, I can vouch for the fact that it can also be an experience that brings into sharp focus the very best of humanity.' Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. View More » MORE: I was 11 when my parents were told to plan my funeral MORE: Everything we know about King Charles' cancer treatment MORE: What ultra-processed food does to your body after days, weeks and months
