Sign up for a night trek

Whether you want to take on a challenge, give back to your community, or get together with friends, sign up to Castle Night Trek and enjoy a challenging, magical night trek through the gardens and grounds of Herstmonceux Castle on Saturday, May 14.

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 such as Owen’s.

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. Owen loved exploring the outdoors – especially the woods, so when Gemma saw this challenge, she knew that she would have to sign up. Sadly, Owen isn’t able to join the trek as he died of a brain tumour five years ago, when he was just seven years old, so Gemma and her friends are doing it in his memory.

Six weeks before Owen died, Chestnut Tree House became the family’s home, and Gemma said they were given the most precious time to step back from the illness and medication and focus on being a family. While they were at the hospice, Owen stayed in the Hedgehog Room, a room that overlooks the woods, as our

Care Team knew he’d always loved the outdoors.

When Owen died, he stayed in our Stars bereavement suite, and we helped the family plan his funeral, making sure that his sister, Esther, was involved as much as possible. Speaking about this difficult time, Gemma said: “Without Chestnut’s support at that time, I don’t think Esther would be where she is today with her grief.”

The trek is open to everyone aged 14 years and over (participants aged 14 to 16 years must be accompanied by an adult). Find out more and register at chestnut.org. uk/castlenighttrek