30 Faces of Weldmar

To mark Weldmar Hospicecare’s 30th anniversary, we’re featuring thirty past and present staff members, volunteers and supporters who have played an instrumental role in shaping how the charity is today.

Back to '30 Years of Weldmar Hospicecare'

We’re adding new faces all the time to our gallery of ’30 Faces of Weldmar’, so keep checking back for further profiles on some of the individuals who have made such a difference over the years. Click on any one of the ‘faces’ to discover more about their involvement with the charity, and what it has meant to them.

Of course, so many more people have contributed to Weldmar Hospicecare’s success and story over the years, in so many ways, and we appreciate every one of them.

1: King Charles III

We are very proud that the King has been our Patron since 1994, after taking a keen interest in the architecture of the hospice.

2: Chris Barrett

Chris is a Sister at our Inpatient Unit, and one of two members of staff who have been part of the charity since the hospice doors opened in 1994.

3: Penny Wykes-Sneyd

Penny is a familiar, friendly face at our Inpatient Unit, having volunteered there for seventeen years in a number of roles.

Sir Joseph, first patron of Weldmar Hospicecare

4: Sir Joseph Weld

Sir Joseph was the first patron of the charity, and both the hospice building and the charity were originally named in his honour.

Major John Greener, first chairman at Weldmar Hospicecare

5: Major John Greener

A founding trustee and the first chairman, Major John Greener’s vision and inspiring personality was the driving force for the creation of the hospice.

6: Cathy Stone

Cathy is one of our longest serving nurses, first based at the Inpatient Unit and has since spent more than ten years visiting patients at home.

7: John Lockyer

If it needs doing in Dorchester, John is there. A diligent volunteer and fundraiser for Weldmar for almost twenty years.

8: Dame Dione Digby

Lady Dione Digby was President of the charity from 1990, when the appeal to fund the building of the hospice was launched, until she retired in 2007.

Matt, Chief Operating Office at Weldmar Hospicecare

9: Matt Smith

First getting involved with the charity by raising funds as a teenager, Matt is now Chief Operating Officer at Weldmar.

10: Pat Scarlett, Ann Palmer and Maureen Trent

Members of the 'Weymouth Friends' group of supporters, these ladies have been fundraising for the charity since the very beginning.

Caroline Nickinson, former Director of Fundraising

11: Caroline Nickinson

Caroline was a founding Trustee of the charity, and the former Director of Fundraising.

Caroline Sweetland Weldmar's Director of Clinical Services for 30 faces of Weldmar

12: Caroline Sweetland

Always passionate about palliative care throughout her nursing career, Caroline is now Weldmar's Director of Clinical Services.

television star Martin Clunes, regular attender of Weldmar Summer Fete

13: Martin Clunes OBE

National treasure and television star Martin Clunes has been a regular attendee at our Summer Fete, and supported us in many other ways over the years.

14: Dr Richard Sloan

Weldmar's first Medical Director, who was with the charity for twenty years, Richard remembers how revolutionary the hospice was when it first opened.

Laura Rawlins at Weldmar Hospicecare Charity Shop in Weymouth for Hospice Care Week 2024

15: Laura Rawlins

Laura is the longest serving member of our retail team, first joining us at our store in St Thomas Street in Weymouth in 2006.

16: Danny Collins

Danny has carved out his own niche in fundraising, famous in Weymouth as the 'Bike Man', raising more than £40,000.

17: Dr Geoffrey Guy

A former Chair of the Weldmar Board of Trustees, Geoffrey renamed the charity and designed our iconic W logo.

Volunteers Robin and Ann for 30 faces of Weldmar

18: Robin and Ann Tiller

Robin and Ann started fundraising and volunteering for Weldmar Hospicecare in 1992 - two years before the Inpatient Unit opened its doors.

Caroline Hamblett , Chief Executive Officer for 30 faces of Weldmar

19: Caroline Hamblett

Weldmar's Chief Executive Officer, who has been leading the charity since 2016.

Dr Evans, part of the initial committee at Weldmar, for 30 faces of Weldmar

20: Dr David Evans

Part of the initial committee that was set up to form the hospice in 1990, Dr Evans is still involved in the charity today.

The Lord Fellowes of Stafford, a long term supporter of Weldmar

21: Julian Fellowes

The Lord Fellowes of Stafford, DL, has been a long term supporter of Weldmar, organising a number of events alongside his wife, Emma.

22: Stephen Baynard

The Chairman of our Board of Trustees, Stephen has led Weldmar from strength to strength since 2014.

23: Emma Mills

Progressing from a placement as a student nurse, Emma is now Senior Sister at Weldmar's Inpatient Unit in Dorchester.

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Dot, first volunteer for Weldmar Hospicecare 30 faces

24: Dot Hand

Of all the people who can call themselves a volunteer for the charity, Dot was the very first, becoming a supporter and fundraiser in 1990.

Gemma and Eileen have fundraised money for Weldmar

25: Gemma Fulbrook and Eileen Spracklen

Dance teachers Gemma and Eileen have helped raise hundreds of thousands of pounds for Weldmar, by turning local people into dance stars at our Strictly Ballroom fundraisers.

Heather Evans, Community Nurses lead for 30 faces of Weldmar

26: Heather Evans

Heather led the Weldmar Community Nurse team until retiring in 2022, having began her Weldmar journey at what was the Trimar Christian Hospice in the late 1990s.

27: Clare Ash

From fundraiser to volunteer to staff member, Clare has done everything from make 'reindeer food' to trekking Iceland to raise funds for Weldmar, and is now supporting others to do the same.

Monica Atkinson at charity shop in Sherborne 30 faces of weldmar

28: Monica Atkinson

As we turn 30 this year, Monica has celebrated her 90th birthday and volunteers every week at our Sherborne charity shop, as she has done for 25 years.

Mel King, supporter of the Fundraiser Team for 30 faces of Weldmar

29: Mel King

Supporting the Fundraising Team at Weldmar for the past ten years, Mel is always on hand to help at events and when a job needs doing.

30: Bonnie Jones

A member of Weldmar at Home, our hospice at home service, Bonnie starred in our very first television advert.

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