Hove firefighters this week handed over a cheque for £4,000 to the Chestnut Tree House Children’s Hospice.
At the same time, Green Watch saw firsthand the amazing work of the children’s charity and how the money they raised would be put to invaluable use.
The work of Chestnut Tree House has touched the hearts of Green Watch.
They were inspired to donate money raised from their charity truck pull and road safety ‘distractions’ campaign.
Firefighters Kieran Wood and Daren Smith, who instigated the event wanted to make the streets safer for youngsters, as well as raising money for children’s hospice the Chestnut Tree House and the Fire Fighters Charity.
“We raised just over £4,000 from this event but we decided to give them a round number and add the remaining balance to the next charity collection for them which is the Brighton Marathon, as we have agreed to raise another £4,000 for them.
“It was great for us all to see what we have been raising money for over the past 18 months.
“It was a very humbling experience and made us all very thankful for the lives that we lead and I think made us all more motivated to continue to raise money for this amazing charity whose service to the people it supports must be invaluable.”
Chestnut Tree House is the only children’s hospice in Sussex and cares for children and young adults from 0-19 years of age with progressive life-limiting and life-threatening illnesses from all over the county.
The hospice provides a ‘home from home’ environment with ten children’s bedrooms plus eight family rooms. It also includes a wet and dry play area, computer and music rooms, a multi-sensory room, as well as a hydrotherapy pool.
Chestnut Tree House External Link offers support for the whole family including psychological support, care in bereavement therapy, end of life and respite care and sibling support.
Community Fundraiser for the hospice, Juliette Macpherson, said: “We are just really, really thankful for the firefighters’ tremendous support and making a big difference towards all the children who use our services at Chestnut Tree House.
“Caring for a sick child is a round the clock, exhausting job so it is important for the whole family to have a break, to take time out and relax.
“We provide care for children and young people who have life-limiting illnesses.
“No two days are alike at Chestnut Tree House but we try to create a home from home atmosphere, somewhere where it is possible for the children and families to spend time together, to do things they wouldn’t normally be able to do and to create special memories together.”
