St Margaret's Hospice is welcoming in the festive season by inviting the people of Somerset to come together at two brand-new Christmas events – the inaugural Taunton Tinsel Trot in the town centre, and the cosy Christmas Fayre at the Bishops Hull hospice.

Both events promise family-friendly fun while raising vital funds to help the charity continue providing compassionate, specialist care to patients and families across the county.

Launching the festive season, St Margaret's will host its Christmas Fayre on Sunday 30 November, transforming the Taunton hospice into a hub of local creativity, seasonal music, and festive celebrations.

From 2-5pm, visitors can enjoy: local artisanal stalls with handmade gifts, crafts and Christmas treats; a live brass band playing festive favourites; mince pies, hot chocolate, mulled wine and other refreshments; a raffle and a silent auction with some fabulous prizes; children's activities and a chance to meet a friendly festive donkey; Santa visits, with each child receiving a special gift and a magical moment with Santa (booking essential).

Entry is £1 per adult – which includes a free entry into a Christmas hamper draw. Children go free.

The following weekend, on Sunday 7 December, the Taunton Tinsel Trot promises a morning full of cheer, festive spirit, and community fun, with hundreds expected to take part in support of local hospice care. Starting and finishing at Castle Green, Taunton, participants can choose between a 3K route for ages 11 and over, or a 1K mini trot perfect for younger children and families – pushchairs welcome! Participants are encouraged to fundraise for the hospice.

Organised for the first time in collaboration with the Taunton Carnival Committee, the Tinsel Trot is a joyful, non-competitive way to celebrate the season while making a difference for local people facing life-limiting illness.

All entrants will receive a free festive hat: Santa hats for adults and older children, and elf hats for the little ones. Registration costs £15 for the 3K route and £5 for the 1K children's run, with the mini race starting at 10am, followed by the full 3K at 10.30.

Funds raised from both events will help St Margaret's continue providing free specialist care for people across Somerset living with a life-limiting illness – whether that's out in people's homes and living areas, through their Sunflower Centre Day Hospices in Yeovil and Taunton, or on the hospice's In-Patient Unit.

To register, volunteer, or find out more, visit: https://www.st-margarets-hospice.org.uk/whats-on/our-events/

Please contact Hayley Milne, Head of Communications for more information

[email protected] | 01823 333822.

NOTES FOR EDITORS 

St Margaret's Hospice Care has been at the heart of Somerset's community for 45 years, delivering high quality, responsive and compassionate care to patients facing a life-limiting illness and their families. In that time, we have become a household name, firmly rooted in local communities delivering care and support for people living in Porlock in the East to Wincanton on the West, and every town, village and neighbourhood in between.

What do we do?  

St Margaret's is a community funded charity, caring across Somerset. We support people of all ages with life-limiting illness; not just cancer. Our care embraces an individualised holistic care plan including physical, emotional and spiritual care which is available to our patients, their families and carers.

Last year St Margaret's supported 4,833 people across Somerset. The majority of who were cared for in their own homes by one of our five community nursing teams. Our 24-hour Adviceline managed over 31,000 calls and our specialist In-Patient Unit in Taunton continues to provide 24-hour complex symptom control.

2025 marks the 45^th anniversary of St Margaret's Hospice Care. What started with a nurse led initiative funded by a fundraising event raising £400, is now a £15m turnover operation, employing 350 staff and supported by over 900 volunteers!

How to get involved 

45 years is traditionally symbolised by the sapphire gemstone, so many of our activities this year will have a sapphire theme! There will be plenty of ways for our community to get involved and celebrate alongside us.  

Funds from events, alongside sponsors, donations and gifts in Wills are vital to the success of St Margaret's. There are plenty of ways to support the hospice, from donations and shopping in one of our 31 charity shops through to taking part in one of our adrenaline-raising sky dives and abseils. 1 in 3 of our patients receive care thanks to gifts kindly left to us in Wills. However you help, we're grateful you're taking the time to care. 

How do your donations support families?* 

·     Your £30 could pay for 30 minutes of support through our 24/7 Adviceline 

·     Your £65 could pay for a patient to attend our day hospice in our unique Sunflower Centre for a day 

·     Your £75 could pay for a visit from a community nurse to help care for someone in the comfort of their own home 

·     Your £200 could mean someone with a life-limiting illness receives vital practical and emotional assistance with finance, housing or other social issues

·     Your £500 could pay for five sessions of specialist physiotherapy

·     Your £1,000 could pay for 24 hours of specialist care on our In-Patient Un

it for one patient. 

Additional Contact Information

Hayley Milne – Head of Communications | 01823 333822 | [email protected]

*Please note that these messages and price points have been developed from our Audited accounts 2023/24.