Police raise hospice funds at Brighton party conference

Money raised by Sussex Police during the Labour Party conference in Brighton has been donated to a children’s hospice.
Chief Constable Martin Richards and Chief Inspector Lawrence Hobbs presented a cheque for £2,075 to Chestnut Tree House.
Officers raised £1,575 during the Labour conference in September selling Sussex Police mugs and pin badges.
They even caught the attention of the Prime Minister Gordon Brown, giving a pin badge to his wife Sarah.
They also distributed Chestnut Tree House collecting tins and helped to raise awareness of the hospice’s work in the Brighton and Hove area. The hospice, near Arundel, serves the whole of Sussex.
Mr Richards donated a further £500 to make £2,075 in total.
The charity was nominated by Sergeant Nick Stevens who visited Chestnut Tree House and saw for himself how important the hospice is to families with terminally ill children.
Officers have vowed to continue to help the children and their families at Chestnut Tree House and a team plan to take part in the first Brighton Marathon in April.
The chief constable said: “So many officers and staff supported the fundraising, from buying raffle tickets to some brave individuals taking part in a fun run.
“It really is fantastic to see such large sums of money raised and going to such worthy, local causes.
“I was delighted to present the cheque on behalf of Sussex Police and hope that it goes some way to making a difference to the hospice.”
Juliette Macpherson, community fundraiser at the hospice, said: “It’s great to be on the right side of the law and to have such tremendous support from Sussex Police.
“Thank you to all the officers for their help and generosity. Their fundraising really will make a difference to the children and families who need Chestnut Tree House.”