Margaret Gibbs, an 87-year-old ex-paralympian from Abbotskerswell who competed in three
consecutive Paralympic Games from 1964, has recently been under the compassionate care of
Rowcroft Hospice.
A trailblazer in British sports, Margaret’s remarkable career saw her secure 23
medals across the Paralympics and Commonwealth Games. Her impact on the sporting world and
advocacy for disabled athletes have left an indelible mark on history, promoting inclusivity in sports
and helping to shape the future of the Paralympic Movement.
A wheelchair user from the age of 12 after polio paralysed her legs, Margaret discovered her
passion for sport early in life.
“I was lucky to be in the right place at the right time and was discovered when I was at my local
swimming club in Croydon,” Margaret recalls. “This was at a time when Sir Ludwig Guttmann,
founder of the Paralympic Movement, was looking for more competitors to compete. I was invited
to the next National Games, where I did pretty well.”
Margaret went on to compete at the Paralympics and Commonwealth Games, accumulating a total
of eight gold medals, nine silver and six bronze through a broad range of sports including
wheelchair basketball, archery, javelin, shotput, discus, track events, swimming and slalom.
Reflecting on her career, Margaret said:
“It was an amazing time; I had no idea I was going to do so well and I felt so honoured to be
representing Great Britain. Being on the podium, with the flag going up, made me feel like I was
doing something meaningful, not just for myself but for my country.”
Margaret’s outstanding achievements were further recognised when she was named Sportswoman of
the Year by the Sports Writers Association in 1972.
Margaret’s participation in the 1964, 1968, and 1972 Paralympic Games, as well as her triumphs in
the Commonwealth Games, helped pave the way for generations of athletes with disabilities. After
relocating to South Devon in 1966, she and her husband founded a South Devon sports association
for athletes with disabilities, inspiring and empowering local people to take up and develop their
sporting interests.“It was great because we felt we were really achieving something and it changed people’s lives,”
said Margaret. “The Paralympics are such a big thing now and I often wonder what Sir Ludwig
Guttmann would think if he could see how amazing the Paralympics have become today; we’ve
come such a long way from those early days.”
“I’m so proud of Mum,” said Margaret’s daughter, Amanda. “She’s an incredible person; nothing ever
stopped her in life. To know that she’s been in the Paralympics three times is just amazing. She’s
been a fantastic role model, and it’s quite difficult to live up to!”
Following a recent cancer diagnosis, Margaret has been receiving specialist palliative care from
Rowcroft Hospice, to help manage her pain. Reflecting on a two-and-a-half-week stay in Rowcroft’s
Inpatient Unit, Margaret said:
“The staff were amazing – so caring, empathic, and friendly – and I can’t praise them enough. Most
people think that you only go into the hospice at the very end of life, but that isn’t true. Many
people, like me, receive really good care and are able to go home again. Now that I’m at home,
Rowcroft is still keeping in touch to check on me. It’s comforting to know they’re there if I need
them.”
“Spending that time in the hospice was the best thing that could have happened,” added Amanda.
“The change in Mum was incredible. She went from someone struggling every day to being able to
come home again. The atmosphere was calm and friendly, and every member of staff we met was
absolutely brilliant; nothing was too much trouble.
“It’s a wonderful place to go for care when you need it most in your life, not just for those who are
poorly, but for the families as well. Rowcroft is invaluable to our community, offering a level of
support that really makes a difference during such a difficult time.”
For over 40 years, Rowcroft Hospice has been at the heart of the South Devon community, providing
compassionate care for patients with life-limiting illnesses. Margaret’s story is a testament to the
critical role that the hospice plays in supporting patients and their families, ensuring dignity,
comfort, and care in life’s most challenging moments.
During recent months, Rowcroft has indicated that the financial pressures facing the charity are
significant – due to many factors including rising costs, stalled funding, a national drop in charitable
giving, and a rising demand for end-of-life care services. Th charity continues to stress that support
of the community is crucial to ensure the continuation of vital services.
To find out how you can support Rowcroft Hospice or to make a donation, please visit:
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Photo caption: Paralympian Margaret Gibbs (right) with her daughters Amanda Gibbs (centre) and
Kirsten O’Gorman (left)
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About Rowcroft Hospice
It takes time, compassion, medical expertise and money to help patients with life-limiting illnesses
and their loved ones to make the most of every day, but every year Rowcroft Hospice helps around
2,500 people in South Devon to do just that.
By providing comfort, support and specialist services, the hospice enables families to share precious
and joyful moments when they are needed most – whether it’s a beautiful wedding, remarkable
reunion, simple thank you or gentle cuddle.
From Dartmouth to Dawlish and up onto Dartmoor, Rowcroft cares for 80% of its patients in their
own homes with a team of community nurse specialists, social workers, and bereavement
volunteers. The team also provides occupational therapy, physiotherapy, complementary therapy,
spiritual care and music therapy, delivering a holistic approach tailored to individual needs.
Day and night, Rowcroft’s award-winning Hospice at Home team provide free specialist support to
patients at home in their last few of weeks of life. The team helps to monitor and manage
symptoms to enable patients to be comfortable and also offers support for loved ones, enabling
carers to take much needed breaks. The service includes a dedicated telephone support line 24 hrs
a day.
In Rowcroft’s 12-bedded Inpatient Unit in Torquay, the hospice’s team provides specialist care for
patients whose complex needs cannot be met at home. Along with high quality health and social
care, we also offer delicious homecooked meals and access to our beautiful gardens. The
welcoming and homely environment helps patients and families to make the most of precious time
together.
Rowcroft is an independent charity with around 75% of its funding derived from the incredible
generosity of local people. The hospice team fully acknowledges the current challenging economic
climate and is grateful for the local community’s continued support through these tough times;
every pound raised makes a real difference.
With an increasingly ageing local population, the demand for Rowcroft’s care has never been
greater. The charity currently cares for around one in three people with life-limiting illnesses
across South Devon and has ambitious plans to expand its care to reach more people.For more information, please visit
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