CHILDREN'S Hospice South West has many supporters of all ages, but the charity believes that a pair of twins from Altarnun could be their youngest ever fundraisers!

Little Alfie and Megan-Frayer Bass may not yet be able to walk or talk, but were raising funds for Children's Hospice South West's Precious Lives Appeal before they were even born.

Mum, Stephanie Bass, who has run Altarnun Post Office and Stores for the past five years, explains:

"When I was expecting the twins I got chatting to some customers in the village Post Office about guessing the sex and weight of the babies.  I then came up with the idea of running a fun competition for charity, and thought it would be nice to do it for a local children's charity.

"People donated £1 a guess and we had winners for the right sex and the closest in weight.  It was really good fun!"

SURPRISE

The twins were born on November 7 last year with Alfie weighing in at 5.1lb and his sister Megan-Frayer slightly bigger at 6.2lb. 

Together with mum Stephanie and the customers of Altarnun Post Office, they managed to raise £120 for the Precious Lives Appeal to help build a children's hospice in Cornwall.

Stephanie says that twins have run in the family, on her mother's side, but not for a few generations so they were quite a surprise. 

She and her husband Kevin have recently sold Altarnun Post Office to another couple who live in the village so Stephanie can spend more time with their children.  She will start her new job as a full time mum next week and hopes to get out and about with the children visiting lots of the wonderful attractions and sites the South West has to offer.

Children's Hospice South West helps families with life-limited children in the South West, so that they can also enjoy spending precious time together. 

Families with children who are not expected to reach adulthood visit the charity's two hospices —Little Bridge House in North Devon and Charlton Farm in Somerset — for respite, relaxation, enrichment, friendship, and fun in a supportive shared community.

THIRD HOSPICE

A third children's hospice – Little Harbour in Cornwall – will bring this specialist service closer to home for families in Cornwall and Plymouth and will enable Children's Hospice South West to reach out and help even more families from across the region make the most of short and precious lives.

Judy Pride, Children's Hospice South West Community Fundraiser for Plymouth, District and Cornwall, says:

"The Bass twins are quite possibly our youngest ever fundraisers — something I'm sure they'll be very proud of when they grow up.  The money they have helped to raise will go towards building Little Harbour, benefiting other local children and families."

The annual gala concert run by the 'Post' raises money for the Children's Hospice South West.