
Introducing the Pear Tree Fund
The Pear Tree Fund offers emotional, physical and practical support to people reaching the end of their lives so that those who wish to can die in the comfort and security of their own homes.
Originally known as Halesworth Community Nursing Care Fund (HCNCF), the charity was set up in 1989 and is entirely funded by people’s generosity.
We are now expanding the services we provide by building an innovative one-stop-shop for people who have been diagnosed with cancer or other life-limiting illnesses.
Called The Pear Tree Centre, it will provide a wide range of valuable services closer to home for anyone from north east Suffolk or south Norfolk, including help understanding a diagnosis, bereavement support and counselling.
We are asking for your support to help us continue providing these vital services for people in our rural community.


Dr Richard Kell - 21.05.55 – 06.07.19
It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Pear Tree Fund trustee Richard Kell at the age of 64.
Richard was a well-known face in the Halesworth area after moving to the town in 1986 as a GP trainee and spending the next 29 years as a GP partner at Cutlers Hill Surgery. He joined Halesworth Community Nursing Care Fund, the Pear Tree Fund’s predecessor, in 1999 and served as the charity’s chair for 18 years before retiring from the role in 2017.
Richard was passionate about local healthcare, and set up the Halesworth Health charity in 2011 to safeguard and protect the town’s health services. He also worked as a police surgeon for 20 years and was heavily involved in training the next generation of doctors, working with both trainee GPs medical students. Following his retirement, he volunteered with Doctors of the World, which aims to empower people who are excluded from accessing healthcare.
Outside of work Richard loved playing hockey, tennis and squash, swimming in the sea and travelling, and would like to be remembered during a walk or swim at Walberswick.
Richard struggled with the effects of motor neurone disease with dignity and bravery, maintaining his calm demeanour and sense of humour throughout. He will be greatly missed by his family, friends, fellow trustees and former patients.

The Pear Tree Fund's latest news
Learn what's happening in and around our fund.
Teeing off to raise £5,000 of charity cash
Pear Tree Centre nears completion
Pick up your charity chutney!
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Learn a little more
Please take the time to check out our website and get a little more insight into what we do and how we are making a difference to local people's lives.