Nick Herbert supports lottery in aid of children's hospice
Arundel & South Downs MP Nick Herbert has become the latest subscriber to a lottery set up by the Chestnut Tree House Children’s Hospice near Arundel.
The Chestnut Tree House Lottery, which awards prizes of up to £1,000 every week, is an important part of the charity's fundraising activities.
The hospice costs around £2 million a year to run. It receives little government funding and does not charge families for their care. It therefore relies heavily on the generosity, help and support of the local community.
Chestnut Tree House is the only children's hospice in Sussex and cares for children and young adults, from birth to 19 years of age, affected by progressive life-limiting and life-threatening illnesses such as Muscular Dystrophy, Cystic Fibrosis, Spinal Muscular Atrophy, multiple disabilities, cancer and progressive genetic disorders. It provides care for children and families from across East and West Sussex.
Completed in 2003, the hospice provides a 'home from home' with ten children's bedrooms and eight family rooms, a wet and dry play area, computer and music rooms, a multi-sensory room and hydrotherapy pool. The house is set in beautiful gardens within an area of outstanding natural beauty.
Mr Herbert pledged his support for the lottery during a recent visit (26 September) to celebrate the official opening of the Meadow Garden, a new facility set up in the grounds of the hospice. The event was organised to coincide with National Children's Hospice Week.
At the event, TV gardener Tommy Walsh was on hand to cut the ribbon. Mr Walsh and Mr Herbert were joined by President of Chestnut Tree House Lady Sarah Clutton, Chief Executive Hugh Lowson, MP Peter Bottomley (Worthing West) and Shadow Minister for Children Tim Loughton (East Worthing & Shoreham).
Mr Herbert commented: "I was delighted to sign up to the lottery for Chestnut Tree House. It's a great way to help the Hospice and maybe if I'm lucky I'll win a prize, too!
"Chestnut Tree provides a marvellous service for children and their parents, and when it receives so little by way of support from public funds, these kind of fundraising initiatives really do make a difference.
"Currently the Hospice is only running at half its full capacity - only five of the ten beds are occupied at any one time. It would be so good if additional funds could be raised so that this extraordinary facility could reach its full potential and help more families in need."
Ends
Notes for Editors
1. For the website of the Chestnut Tree House Children's Hospice, visit http://www.chestnut-tree-house.org.uk/.
2. For further details of the Chestnut Tree House Lottery, visit http://www.chestnut-tree-house.org.uk/default.asp?id=40.
3. The Meadow Garden, designed by Clare Matthews, will provide a special place where families can go for reflection and remembrance. It has been sponsored by The Greenfingers Appeal, the charity of the gardening industry. The garden is at the back of the hospice and has its own separate entrance to allow families to come and go in privacy without having to go through the house. It includes seating areas, statues, water features and plants to encourage the experience of sight, touch and smell.
4. Tommy Walsh is best known for his appearances on the BBC's Groundforce programme.