A South Devon partnership is transforming a simple idea into new support for Rowcroft

Rowcroft Hospice has teamed up with a South Devon company in a fund-raising partnership which is the ‘bee’s knees’.

Gilboys, a South Devon producer of premium beeswax polishes and wood care products, will transform surplus wax from Rowcroft’s own beehives into beeswax polish.

For every jar of polish sold in the new ‘Rowcroft Collection’, Gilboys will make a donation to support the hospice’s specialist end-of-life care across South Devon.

Rowcroft’s apiary – with its 25 hives and busy colonies of honeybees – produces honey that is sold in Rowcroft’s shops to raise vital income for the hospice. 

Keen to ensure nothing goes to waste, Rowcroft found a perfect partner in Gilboys, a local Dartington based company known for its high-quality, natural products and sustainable practices. 

The idea for the ‘Rowcroft Collection’ grew from a personal connection between Gilboys’ Managing Director, Simon Gilboy, and the hospice. After taking part as a dancer in ‘Strictly Rowcroft’ this May, he witnessed first-hand the incredible community effort behind the hospice: 

He said: “While preparing for the show, I was introduced by a mutual friend to Helen Thomas, Rowcroft’s head volunteer beekeeper and I learned that the hospice’s hives produced a surplus of beeswax.

“As working with beeswax is what we do every day, it immediately felt like something we could help with. By putting the surplus to use, we could create something useful while supporting Rowcroft.

“From there, the idea shaped itself into a virtuous circle: the bees produce the wax, Gilboys turn it into polish, and every jar sold helps fund Rowcroft’s care. 

“It’s a natural continuation of our ethos - avoiding waste and transforming simple, natural materials into products that preserve and protect the things people cherish.”

Rowcroft’s Corporate Fundraiser, Lisa Whittaker, said: “We are so grateful to Gilboys for their generosity in bringing this project to life. It’s a wonderful example of how our community can come together in imaginative ways to support local hospice care. Every jar of wax polish sold helps us to make every day the best it can be for our patients and their loved ones.”

The ‘Rowcroft Collection’ is available now from Gilboys, with every purchase helping to fund Rowcroft’s specialist care. Visit gilboys.co.uk/rowcroft to find out more.

And if you’d like to find out more about volunteering with Rowcroft – whether in beekeeping or in one of the many other rewarding roles – please visit rowcrofthospice.org.uk