WEST Devon supporters of St Loye?s Hospice in Exeter are concerned that news of the multi-million pound sale of its estate may scupper their fundraising efforts. At least £10 million might be paid by developers for the 18-acre central Exeter estate owned by the charity which trains disabled adults for work. The St Loye?s Foundation is selling the land and buildings, and making a percentage of its staff redundant, in order to allow its work to continue in the future from other, smaller bases. However, Okehampton-based St Loye?s supporter Jan Berry said she is concerned that many people may have jumped to the erroneous conclusion that St Loye?s will be closing for good. ?I?ve had lots of people saying to me what a shame it is they?re closing, when in fact they?re only moving ? and not until next year? she said. Jan, aged 88, was a founder member of the St Loyes? supporters? group in Okehampton and has raised money for the charity for the last 40 years. The group holds coffee mornings twice a year and usually has a stall at the Dartmoor Folk Festival and Zayle Fair. Last Saturday, they raised £436 at their Spring coffee morning in the Charter Hall - but Jan is anxious that some people might not have attended that event because of misconceptions about the charity?s future. ?I just want to make sure that plenty of people support us at our upcoming events,? she said. The St Loye?s Foundation was established 70 years ago, and now trains 250 disabled adults for work every year.
