Are you looking for a team building activity with a difference?

Whether you want to get involved to boost staff morale, give back to your local community, or take on a challenge, sign up to Castle Night Trek and you will enjoy a challenging, magical night trek through the grounds of Herstmonceux Castle on Saturday May 14th 2022

Starting at sunset, participants will walk from day to night, reflecting the 24-hour nature of the care and support that Chestnut Tree House offers to local children with life-limiting conditions and their families. Families like Owen’s.

OWEN’S STORY

Gemma and a group of friends have signed up to Castle Night Trek to raise vital funds for Chestnut Tree House, who cared for her son Owen when he died at just seven years old.

“Owen loved exploring the outdoors – especially the woods,” says Gemma. “Sadly, he isn’t able to join me on the trek as he died of a brain tumour fi ve years ago, when he was just seven. But we used to go on walks all the time. It’s something that we loved doing together and I feel close to Owen when I go out for a walk.

“That’s why I signed up to Castle Night Trek, it really resonated with me as it’s something I know Owen would have loved to have done – especially taking on the challenge in the dark!” Speaking about why she wants to support Chestnut Tree House, Gemma says “Six weeks before Owen died, Chestnut Tree House became our home, and we were given the most precious time to step back from the illness and the medication and focus on us, our family.

“They had space for us all to stay, including my mum who shared a room with my daughter Esther to support with her care as she was only four years old. I couldn’t bear for the children to be separated, and the kindness shown to all of us was endless. The cook even asked Owen what he wanted to eat, every day – usually roast dinners, pâté on toast, olives and ice creams! “Most importantly, Owen stayed in the Hedgehog Room, a room that overlooked the woods, as they knew he’d always loved the outdoors. It’s hard to put into words how important little things like that are. The depth of care and thoughtfulness at Chestnut Tree House is what makes it unique.

“It was often hard to accept Owen’s illness and impossible to imagine a future without him. But Chestnut Tree House would tell me – ‘This is why Chestnut Tree House is here, it’s for people like you’ – and I will be forever grateful to them.

“I don’t know what we would have done without Chestnut Tree House. At that extremely diffi cult time they helped us with everything. Owen stayed in the Stars bereavement suite, and they helped us plan his funeral and made sure that his sister Esther was involved as much as possible. She spent time with Owen once he had passed and helped plan the funeral. Without Chestnut’s support at that time, I don’t think Esther would be where she is today with her grief.

“I’ve signed up for Castle Night Trek as I want to fundraise to help Chestnut Tree House. So that they can continue to provide their care and help others through their own diffi cult journeys.”

Castle Night Trek will take place on Saturday May 14th 2022 at Herstmonceux Castle. The trek is open to everyone aged 14 years and over (participants aged 14-16 years must be accompanied by an adult). Sign up with your team and get your seventh place free!

Find out more and register at www.chestnut.org.uk/ castlenighttrek