I first heard about Chestnut Tree House, the children’s hospice for Sussex, when I met their corporate fundraiser at a BNI (Business Networking International) meeting. Mikayla talked to me about the inspiring work the charity does across East and West Sussex and South East Hampshire, caring for children with life-shortening conditions and their families, and helping them live life to the full for as long as they have together.

We have just celebrated our 60th anniversary as a firm of accountants specialising in corporate and business advisory services. We’ve never adopted a Charity of the Year before and it felt like a good thing to do; to give back to the local community that we have operated in for so long. With nine directors and 60 employees across our Hailsham and Brighton offices there is generally always someone doing something for charity, so this felt like the perfect way to bring all that good work together and unite the team at the same time.

Mikayla has been great at providing all the information we need about Chestnut Tree House. They care for around 300 children and their families, including over 60 in East Sussex, and provide respite, emergency and end of life care. As well as their purpose built hospice near Arundel - where children and families can have all their needs met under one roof - they have a Community Nursing Team who look after children in their own homes. They care for and support families throughout a child’s life and beyond, and as a company that employs a lot of people who have children, it is a cause that resonates strongly with us. 

We are really excited to see what the coming year brings. There is already an increased sense of unity amongst the team, with everyone coming up with ideas as to how we can support this wonderful local charity. We have sporty-types who are willing to take on swimming, running and mud challenges, those who want to spend time volunteering at Chestnut Tree House itself, and others who want to donate pre-loved clothes or host bake sales. 

Whatever the year brings I’m sure we will finish it with a real sense of achievement, and hopefully have plenty of fun and make plenty of memories as a company in the process.

To make Chestnut Tree your chosen charity email mikayla.bernstein@chestnut-tree-house.org.uk

www.chestnut-tree-house.org.uk