CHASE was set up in 1997 as a charity organisation to help families with children who have life limiting illness. It was originally set up after a newspaper article highlighted the lack of funds that Hospice's in the UK get from the government. 2002 saw the completion of the build of Christopher's Hospice in Artington, just outside of Guildford.
It was in in 2007 that CHASE and Christopher's first became known to us. Glen attended a course at the Arthur Findlay College in Stanstead and almost immediately became friends with Karen. Karen, one morning, told a group the story of her son Adam. How she knew that his life would be short, and how every moment spent with him was a gift and something to enjoy. Focusing on the time she had with Adam, not the short time she would have with him. Little did Glen or I know that this course would be the start of a long friendship, and a friendship which would teach us many things!
A few weeks after the course, Glen and I were invited down to Karen's house for dinner and it was then we met Adam, a cheeky 10 year old with a wicked sense of humour, and a gift for making you laugh.
Adam became a big part of our life (so did Karen) and we enjoyed many a shopping trip with him where we would help him spend his mum's money!
Adam spent time at Christopher's hospice, for respite care and also when his condition made him unwell. The first time we went to the hospice was a strange visit. You never know what to expect if you have never been inside the doors of a hospice, especially a children's hospice. Strange visions of Victorian scenarios entered our heads, rows of beds containing sick and dying children in dark dimly lit rooms, tears and anguish were just some of the things we thought we would encounter. Nothing however could be further from the truth.
Met at the door by kind and helpful staff, being led through a corridor which was full of toys, stuffed animals, rocking horses, cars and bikes as well as some wheelchairs and medical equipment, we were taken to Adams room, the Ocean Room, which was light, bright, filled with fun stuff. The Ocean Room, or as we called it Adam's room had its own access to the garden, and was as welcoming to be in as your own lounge.
We visited Adam at Christopher's many times, one time he was there for an extended 6 month period, and we were always treated like one of the family.
Adam passed away last year, at CHASE in his room. Although this time was incredibly sad for all of us, we are also left with some very special memories of that last week in CHASE, how kind and dedicated the staff were, how they looked after our Adam both medically and emotionally and how they supported Adams family through this painful time.
It is in Adams memory that we have decided that CHASE will be our charity for at least this year as they need at least £4,000,000 each year to run this amazing service and 93% of this cash needs to come from public funding.
Our donation day healing in January is dedicated to chase, and I have also included a special donation button on this page, where I ask, if you can not attend the healing day, please give what you can to CHASE.
DONATE TO CHASE HERE!
Thank you