Rowcroft Hospice advances to go with Torbay Monopoly edition

Rowcroft Hospice officially launched its Monopoly South Devon and Torbay edition in the prehistoric caves of Kents Cavern, Torquay.

The iconic Monopoly game - developed in partnership with Winning Moves, a subsidiary of Hasbro, and featuring more than 40 South Devon locations, venues and businesses - showcases many of the region’s attractions.

It was produced in celebration of Rowcroft’s 40th anniversary and to raise vital funds for the hospice, and is a unique twist on the original Monopoly, featuring dozens of local attractions, including the Princess Theatre, Torquay United AFC, Newton Abbot Racecourse, Woodlands, Pennywell Farm, Paignton Zoo - and the Torbay Weekly - and taking poll-positions in the Mayfair and Park Lane spots Thurlestone Hotel and Powderham Castle.

The launch event took place deep in the limestone caves - one of the most important Stone Age sites in Europe - and included presentations by Rowcroft’s director of patient care Vicky Bartlett, Rowcroft’s CEO Mark Hawkins, marketing manager at Devon’s Top Attractions Anne Blackham, as well as music by acoustic singer Ollie Stephens.

The evening was attended by dozens of representatives of the South Devon attractions that provided sponsorship for the game.

“We’re delighted with the amazing response to the launch of our Monopoly set,” said Rowcroft’s CEO Mark Hawkins.

“It’s an iconic game that’s totally bespoke to South Devon, with players travelling around the board and visiting many of our wonderful local attractions.

"The Monopoly is already proving a huge hit with families and tourists alike, and it’s providing a ground-breaking new income stream as all profits from the game go to support the hospice in caring for local patients living with life-limiting

illnesses.”

The game was developed with sponsorship from over 40 local businesses who received profiling on various elements of the game, including the names of the 30 property squares on the board and customised instructions that feature local businesses in the Community Chest and Chance cards.

Sydney Voisey, marketing manager from Visit South Devon, said: "I was thrilled to attend Rowcroft Hospice's launch of this amazing Monopoly Board; it was a lovely evening and brilliant to see so many local businesses and organisations come out to support the cause. When Visit South Devon was contacted about helping with this project, we jumped at the chance!

"Rowcroft is very close to my heart so to have the opportunity to share and encourage our members to get involved as well as provide photography for the board was truly special."

The £30 Monopoly game can be ordered from Rowcroft’s website at www.rowcrofthospice.org.uk/monopoly and is available to buy in Rowcroft’s shops across South Devon and at many of the attractions featured in the game.

Devon’s Top Attractions is supplying two ‘golden tickets’ that will be hidden within two games. Each lucky golden ticket winner will receive a year of free days out worth over £1,500 with free entry to over 30 South Devon attractions for up to four people.

Rowcroft’s CEO Mark Hawkins said: “For us as a charity, the new income generated by the sales of the game is crucial through these financially challenging times. The demand for our care has never been greater and we’re expanding our care to reach more of our community, so every penny counts in helping us to support patients and their families across the region."