Chestnut Tree House

Did you know that Chestnut Tree House nurses walk over 7,000 steps a day when caring for local children and young people with life-limiting conditions?

STEP INTO 2023 ON THE RIGHT FOOT!

This is your opportunity to step into the New Year on the right foot by challenging yourself and your colleagues to walk 7,000 steps a day in February, in support of your local children’s hospice nurses.

NURSES’ STEPS

Chestnut Tree House is asking people to walk a month in the footsteps of a hospice nurse and raise vital funds to provide care and support for local children and families.

The nurses and care support workers at Chestnut Tree House children’s hospice rack up thousands of steps a day when looking after local children and young people, both at the hospice and in families’ own homes.

The month-long virtual event, ‘Nurses’ Steps’, asks you to commit to walking 7,000 steps a day throughout February, just like the hospice nurses. The challenge is open to anyone, of all ages and abilities. Whether you take part with your colleagues, family, or on your own, Nurses’ Steps is for everyone. Walk your way at your pace at any time or location of your choice. Any money you raise will go towards supporting local children and families. Children like Tiger-Lily.

ARE YOU READY FOR THE CHALLENGE?

It costs just £10 to sign up to Nurses’ Steps, and you will receive support throughout the challenge, an exclusive pair of Chestnut Tree House shoelaces, and a medal upon completion. If you want to take on the challenge as a family, one adult can sign up with their children for just £20, or two adults and their children can register for just £30.

Find out more and register at www.chestnut.org.uk/ nurses-steps

TIGER-LILY’S STORY

Tiger-Lily has a condition which means she stops breathing as soon as she falls asleep – and needs constant supervision. For mum, Vicky, and dad, Ricky, the last four years have been a journey they never expected to go on. Vicky tells their story:

“It wasn’t until Tiger-Lily was a month old that she was diagnosed with Congenital Central Hypoventilation syndrome. Her brain wasn’t telling her body to breathe when she was asleep, and at six weeks old she was fi tted with a tracheostomy and fully ventilated.

“After seven months in hospital, we returned home. Suddenly we were on our own with a baby who needed constant monitoring to keep her alive. I was so fearful of everything that I didn’t leave the house for a month. That’s when I accepted help from Chestnut Tree House.

“Visits from the community team became a lifeline. I could step out of the door knowing Tiger-Lily was safe and happy. I’ll never forget driving to town, breathing in the air, and thinking - ‘so this is what the world is like!’

“Now she’s four, Tiger-Lily loves to go out to the local park, farm, or beach with Laurie, her community nurse. And while they play, and Laurie looks after all her medical needs, Ricky and I might rest or go out for dinner.

“Tiger-Lily also likes to stay at the hospice. There are loads of kids to play with and she enjoys smashing the drums in the music room, painting, and going on treasure hunts in the woodland walk. Seeing her so happy after the crazy journey we’ve been on is amazing. There’s no way we’d be where we are today without Chestnut Tree House”.