Award winning chocolatier Mark Tilling is our new patron
We are thrilled to announce that award winning chocolatier and pastry chef Mark Tilling has agreed to become a patron of Alexander Devine.
With a career spanning 25 years, Mark is most notable for winning the UK Chocolate Masters competition from 2006 to 2008, and he also came 12th in 2007 and 7th in 2009 at the finals of the World Chocolate Masters. In 2016 his team took part and won the title of “Bake Off Crème de la Crème” in an eight-part series on BBC Two to find Britain’s Best Team of Pastry Chefs.
Mark, who lives in Winchester, has been a dedicated and loyal supporter of Alexander Devine Children’s Hospice Service for over six years. As well as supporting the charity through fundraising and generously donating prizes to help raise vital funds, Mark also organises and runs chocolate workshops for children supported by the hospice, siblings and parents.
Mark also created an impressive chocolate masterpiece for Alexander Devine in 2019 when he took part in Channel 4’s Extreme Chocolate Makers for Channel 4 and was featured in four episodes. For his chocolate showstopper, Alexander Devine commissioned him to create something special to celebrate the opening of the hospice’s woodland themed sensory garden.
With Mark in attendance at the Heaven Sent Ball, CEO and Co-Founder Fiona Devine was delighted to reveal to guests that Mark had agreed to become a patron of the charity:
“Mark’s passion and commitment to our charity has been evident since we first met him at the Windsor Royal Horticultural Show in 2017. I know how much he advocates and understands the real need for the vital work that we do and over the years has been such an incredible and special friend to us.
We are very honoured that Mark agreed to become a patron and look forward to continuing our wonderful friendship. Like all our patrons, Mark embodies our charity’s values and is a true champion of our cause.”
On becoming a patron of the charity, Mark Tilling said:
“I am extremely honoured to become a patron and to work with and support all the amazing work they do. Having spent some time with the children, their siblings and the staff, I can see just how important the hospice is for families across Berkshire and surrounding counties”
Our Founder Patron is Sir Michael Parkinson CBE and we now have ten patrons including John Barley BEM, owner of Nirvana Spa, Air Marshall Sir Ian Macfdyen CB OBE, former Constable and Governor of Windsor Castle, and Mark Beard, Chairman of Beard Construction.
Need our help?
The word hospice should not seem scary and getting support from us doesn’t have to mean a child’s death is imminent. Helping to enrich the lives of the children and their families is at the heart of our service, our end of life and bereavement support is just a part of what we do.
Our children’s hospice service covers the whole of Berkshire and into surrounding counties. If you think your child may be eligible for our services, please do get in touch.
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Remember our very special Christmas gift from Volvo? 🚗🎁
It’s a gift that really has been making a huge difference to us at Alexander Devine, especially in helping us provide additional support for families like Huzaifah's.
Huzaifah, who is not yet two years old, up until earlier this year had spent just 7 weeks of his life out of hospital. Our team have been supporting the family in trying to keep him safe at home as much as possible, and now we can also help the family with taking him to his hospital appointments for vital treatment.
Using the car meant our Alexander's Nurses and Carers could safely transport Huzaifah along with his wheelchair, additional oxygen cylinders, suction machine and the extra team members we need to keep him safe during the journey.
Thank you Volvo for helping us make even more of a difference to children and families that we support.
Volvo Car UK
…and relax!
With its mesmerising lights and rainbow of colours, our sensory room is a wonderfully calm environment for the babies, children and young people that we support to explore.
After a busy morning splashing in the pool, getting messy in the creative zone or playing outside in the gardens, it’s the perfect place to unwind (for Alexander’s Nurses and Carers too!)
#LifeAtOurHospice #ChildrensHospiceCare #SensoryPlay #MagicalMoments
Glitz, glamour, delicious food, fabulous entertainment, music and dancing – all wrapped up into one sparkling evening!
For this year's Heaven Sent Ball on Friday 12th May, we are heading to the stunning De Vere Wokefield Estate, near Reading.
For more information and to book your tickets, visit: alexanderdevine.org/heavensentball
Blue Peak Accounting href="https://facebook.com/590287127648696">#fundraisingball #heavensentball Blue Peak Accounting
Copyright © 2019 Alexander Devine Children's Hospice Service. UK Registered Charity No. 1118947.