Rowcroft Hospice volunteer Dianne ‘Di’ Feasby has received the prestigious Order of Mercy, recognising her outstanding voluntary service and years of dedication to Rowcroft.
Di, who has supported Rowcroft for many years following the care her husband Steve received at the hospice, travelled to London to receive the honour. Over the years, her contribution has included caring for Ella’s Garden, helping at events, supporting fundraising activities and encouraging others across South Devon to get involved with Rowcroft.
For those who know Di, the recognition will come as little surprise.
In this article
Who is Rowcroft volunteer Di Feasby?
Di Feasby is a long-standing Rowcroft Hospice volunteer and one of the familiar faces behind Ella’s Garden.
Many people will know Di through her work in the hospice gardens, but her contribution to Rowcroft reaches much further.
Over the years, she has supported events, fundraising activities and community appeals, helped with preparations for events including the Big Tackle and Rudolph Runs, and regularly stepped forward whenever an extra pair of hands has been needed.
Her relationship with Rowcroft, however, began before she became a volunteer.
What is the Order of Mercy?
The Order of Mercy is a national honour recognising outstanding voluntary service in the care of people who are sick or suffering.
Recipients are recognised for sustained dedication to charities, hospices, healthcare organisations and other services supporting people through illness and difficult times.
Di travelled to London to receive the award in recognition of the years she has spent giving her time, energy and care to Rowcroft Hospice.
How did Di’s connection with Rowcroft begin?
Di first came to know Rowcroft when her husband, Steve, was cared for in the hospice’s Inpatient Unit.
During an incredibly difficult time for Di and her family, Rowcroft supported Steve and those closest to him, helping them to make the most of the time they had together.
That experience left a lasting impression on Di.
In previous Rowcroft stories, she has spoken openly about Steve, their time together and the support they received from the hospice. She also contributed a photograph of Steve to Rowcroft’s 40 Years of Care exhibition, helping to celebrate his life and the memories they shared.
In the years that followed, Di began giving her own time back to Rowcroft.
What started with volunteering in the gardens grew into a much wider commitment to the hospice and the people it supports.
In the years that followed, Di began giving her own time back to Rowcroft.
What started with volunteering in the gardens grew into a much wider commitment to the hospice and the people it supports.
Hear more about Di’s story
In this short video, Di shares more about her connection with Rowcroft and what volunteering at the hospice means to her.
What does Di do at Rowcroft Hospice?
One of Di’s main volunteering roles is helping to care for Ella’s Garden, the gardens and grounds surrounding Rowcroft Hospice.
The gardens offer patients and families somewhere peaceful to spend time together, enjoy the outdoors and take a moment away from the clinical environment.
Di has spent countless hours helping to care for those spaces through planting, digging, weeding and the many other jobs needed to keep the gardens looking their best.
Her role has grown over the years, and she has also helped share the gardens with the wider community.
Di has welcomed visitors to Rowcroft, supported garden tours and helped people discover more about the different areas of the grounds, from the walled and Mediterranean gardens to the woodland and wildflower spaces.
For Di, volunteering in the gardens is about far more than simply looking after plants. It is about helping to create a welcoming and peaceful environment for everyone who spends time at Rowcroft.
How else has Di supported Rowcroft?
Gardening may be one of the things Di is best known for, but it is only part of her contribution.
She regularly gets involved in activities across Rowcroft, whether that means helping at events, packing items ahead of fundraising challenges, promoting hospice campaigns or encouraging people in the community to lend their support.
Her fundraising has also made a significant difference.
£6,782
raised by Di during Rowcroft’s Every Moment Matters appeal
Di’s fundraising formed part of Rowcroft’s Every Moment Matters appeal, contributing to a community effort that raised more than £211,000 for local hospice care in just 36 hours.
Those around Di often describe someone who is always willing to help, no matter how big or small the job might be.
That willingness to get involved, alongside the kindness and energy she brings with her, has made her a much-loved member of the Rowcroft community.
Why did Di Feasby receive the Order of Mercy?
Di received the Order of Mercy in recognition of her years of outstanding voluntary service.
Her contribution spans far beyond one role.
She has cared for Rowcroft’s gardens, supported patients and families through the environment she helps create, given her time to events, helped with fundraising activities, encouraged others to support the hospice and raised thousands of pounds towards local hospice care.
Most importantly, she has continued to give back to the organisation that once supported her own family.
The award recognises something that Rowcroft’s staff, volunteers and supporters have seen for many years: Di’s determination to help wherever she can.
A special trip to London
Receiving the Order of Mercy meant a special trip to London for Di.
And, of course, a special occasion called for a special outfit.
Before travelling, Di joined the Rowcroft Retail team in the hospice gardens for an outfit try-on, bringing together two different parts of Rowcroft for a lovely moment ahead of her big day.
With her outfit chosen, Di travelled to London with Sally and Bernice as her guests to receive the award.
Di said she felt incredibly honoured to have been nominated by Rowcroft and thanked those who had put her forward for the award.
For Di Feasby, receiving the Order of Mercy marks the latest chapter in her long relationship with Rowcroft Hospice.
From receiving Rowcroft’s care to giving back
Di’s story is a powerful example of the many different ways people become part of Rowcroft.
Her journey began when she and Steve needed the hospice.
In the years since, she has chosen to give her time, energy and care back to the place that supported them.
What began in the gardens has grown into years of volunteering, fundraising, friendship and support for Rowcroft and the wider South Devon community.
Di, from everyone at Rowcroft, congratulations on receiving the Order of Mercy.
And most importantly, thank you for everything you continue to do.
How can I volunteer with Rowcroft?
Volunteers play an important role across Rowcroft Hospice, supporting everything from our gardens and shops to fundraising, events and hospice services.
Whether you can give a few hours regularly or would simply like to explore the opportunities available, there are many ways to become part of the Rowcroft community.