Last Sunday morning, over 300 walkers gathered outside the Tower of London for a seven and a half mile sponsored walk across nine of London's iconic bridges. They began their walk at 10am in the bright sunshine from the Tower of London, where they were encouraged and waved off by CHASE organisers. Nine bridges later, after crossing Lambeth Bridge they reached the Imperial War Museum where they received refreshments, had a chance to look around the museum and chat to CHASE staff. They also had the opportunity to take part in a raffle. Each person had been given a CHASE T-Shirt with their entry pack, and the hundreds of walkers, from all ages and wearing matching T-shirts, were an unusual sight as they crossed the bridges and headed down the banks of the Thames. The flurry included groups of friends, families, individuals, colleagues and couples who had all collected sponsorship for the walk in order to support the CHASE Ben Hollioake Fund, part of CHASE hospice care for children which supports families with children and teenagers who are not expected to live to reach their 19th birthday in SW London, Surrey and Sussex. Each walker was given a booklet on the day with a quiz to test their general knowledge and observation skills on route. A prize, donated by Surrey Cricket Club, was then awarded to the winner. The raffle was also drawn at the museum and the prizes, including family tickets for both a Guildford Flames Ice Hockey game and a family ticket for the Duck Tours boat ride in London were given out to the winners. The annual CHASE Ben Hollioake Fund London Bridges Walk is now in its fourth year and this year the organiser, Michelle Nippress is hoping to raise £22,000 from the event. Michelle Nippress, said "Thank you to everyone who took part and helped to make the day such a success. The fact that the weather was really nice and warm made such a difference." "The money raised will help the families we support to really make the best of the time they have together. We rely on this kind of support to continue to be there for around 300 families each year, so we are very grateful to all the walkers, everyone who sponsored them, and Forresters Financial Services who supported the walk."
Notes on the CHASE Ben Hollioake Fund: > > The Fund was set up after the death of England and Surrey cricketer Ben > Hollioake and aims, in association with CHASE hospice care for children, > the Fund raises money to support life limited children and their families. > > CHASE is a children's hospice service which exists to provide a network of > care to families with life-limited children and young people in SW London, > Surrey and Sussex. CHASE focuses on support for the whole family at home, > recognising the value of nurturing and growing family culture within their > own communities. Families are also welcomed and supported at our > children's hospice, called Christopher's, just outside Guildford. > > www.benhollioakefund.com <http://www.benhollioakefund.com/> > > > > Notes on Foresters: > > Foresters, is an international financial services organisation which has > operated in the UK, US and Canada for over 130 years. We are committed to > understanding your financial needs and to offering products and membership > benefits, which will assist you with your financial security and peace of > mind. > > Last year our worldwide charity work involved 800,000 hours of community > involvement, which helped to raise over £26 million for worthwhile causes > with Foresters members and employees assisting more than 400 local > charities. We measure our success not only by financial strength, but also > by the positive impact we have on our members' communities. > > www.foresters.co.uk <http://www.foresters.co.uk/> > > > > Notes on CHASE: > > > > CHASE is a children's hospice service which provides a network of care to > families with life-limited children and young people in SW London, Surrey > and Sussex. CHASE focuses on support for the whole family at home and in > their communities. Families are also welcomed and supported at our > children's hospice, called Christopher's, just outside Guildford. With > little statutory funding CHASE has to raise around £4 million every year > to ensure this vital service continues. > > www.chasecare.org.uk <http://www.chasecare.org.uk/> > > > > Further information on the London Bridges Walk or the CHASE Ben Hollioake > Fund from: > > Michelle Nippress at CHASE > > Tel: 01483 447752 > > Email: michelle.nippress@chasecare.org.uk > > > > For information on CHASE from: > >
October 2, 2009
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