Chestnut Tree House

Celebrate Christmas with Chestnut Tree House

From creating magical memories, to helping families through some of their toughest times, Chestnut Tree House needs you this festive season. We’ve put together some of our favourite festive fundraising ideas opposite to get you in the festive spirit and support your local children’s hospice.

RUPERT’S STORY

This time of year can be very hard for anyone who’s lost a loved one. But no words can describe how Kate and Sam felt when baby Rupert sadly died one November day. At four months old, after fighting for his life, his little heart gave up.

Chestnut Tree House gave Rupert’s loved ones a special place to say goodbye. It was the positive, beautiful experience they needed to process their grief and remember the pure joy Rupert had brought them.

Rupert was born with a hole in his heart and, after months of complications, he suffered a devastating stroke. Because his parents had chosen to help more babies by donating Rupert’s organs, they had to say goodbye in the hospital.

Turning off Rupert’s life support could have been their last memory of being with him.

DONATE TO THE CHRISTMAS APPEAL

Will you donate today and help families like Rupert’s this Christmas?

BUY SOME CHESTNUT TREE HOUSE CHRISTMAS CARDS

Don’t forget to send your family, friends, and colleagues a Christmas card. You can browse the range of Chestnut Tree House Christmas cards on their website or pop into one of their charity shops.

FUNDRAISE WHILE HAVING SOME REINDEER FUN

Hold a Reindeer Fun day full of Christmas-themed activities. It could be a festive brunch, company fun run or anything else you can think of! Chestnut Tree House will provide antlers for everyone taking part, so all you need to do is raise sponsorship.

START PLAYING THE CHESTNUT TREE HOUSE LOTTERY

Play the Chestnut Tree House Lottery and help support local children and families this Christmas and all year round. For just £1 a week you could win £1,000 every week, which would mean Christmas presents for everyone! GET BAKING

Mince pies, gingerbread or yule log – get everyone to bake their favourite festive treats and crown the winner Star Baker. Dish out your delicacies at the end and ask for a donation.

HOST A CHRISTMAS QUIZ

Release your inner quiz master by hosting a Christmas quiz and asking colleagues to donate to play.

WHAT YOUR DONATION MEANS

Whatever way you choose to support Chestnut Tree House this Christmas, you can be sure you are making a big difference to your local children’s hospice. It costs over £4 million each year to provide all the specialist care services offered by Chestnut Tree House. Families are never charged for their care and only a small proportion of the hospice’s care costs are funded by central government, so they rely heavily on the generosity of people like you.

Find out more about how you can support Chestnut Tree House this Christmas at www.chestnut.org.uk/christmas

But that evening, Kate received a call from a Chestnut nurse to tell them that they could bring Rupert to their special bereavement suite. The next day, the family were able to see Rupert at Chestnut Tree House.

Kate and Sam had no idea Rupert’s life would be so short and hadn’t needed hospice care before that day. So, it was a comfort to find that Chestnut’s bereavement suite was available to any family like theirs, who suffer the devastating and unexpected death of a child.

The family continue to be supported by Chestnut’s bereavement team. Sam has received emotional support from the chaplain and remains part of the Dad’s Group who meet for walks, crazy golf, or just a pint and a chat with others who understand.

Each year, Kate and Sam also attend the Chestnut Tree House Christmas memorial with other bereaved families who come together to remember and celebrate the lives of their children.

You can help another family receive the same support as Kate and Sam.

A donation of £15 can help pay for a memory box full of precious keepsakes. £28 could help pay for a nurse to support a bereaved family and £62 could fund a session with a family counsellor.