Henry Smith MP has reiterated his support for Chestnut Tree House, the only children’s hospice in Sussex, and has given his backing to Children’s Hospice Week (23rd to 29th May), the UK’s only awareness and fundraising week for families caring for these seriously ill children and celebrating the organisations that support them.

The week, organised by the charity Together for Short Lives, brings together Chestnut Tree House and the UK’s other 52 children’s hospices and all the children’s palliative care charities providing vital support for children and families across the country.

Henry said;

“Chestnut Tree House provides a lifeline to children with life-shortening conditions – and their families. These services provide outstanding levels of care for children across East and West Sussex and South East Hampshire – and rely on public support to do so.

“I urge people across town to show their support for Children’s Hospice Week and Chestnut Tree House. Please visit www.chestnut-tree-house.org.uk for further information.”

The Duchess of Cambridge, as Royal Patron of East Anglia Children’s Hospices, is backing Children’s Hospice Week, and has written an open message outlining her support.

There are 49,000 children and young people in the UK living with a life-shortening condition. The impact on families caring for a seriously ill child can be enormous, with an estimated 100,000 parents and 50,000 siblings affected. Many relationships suffer as a result with 36 per cent experiencing family breakdown. Short breaks, provided by children’s hospice services, can be a lifeline to children and families.

Chestnut Tree House was opened in November 2003 by Princess Alexandra, six years after the establishment of the Chestnut Tree Trust. In April 1998, trustees of the St Barnabas House charitable hospice and the Chestnut Tree Trust formally agreed to work together to provide a children’s hospice in Sussex.

Henry continues to support Chestnut Tree House, and donned a Father Christmas suit in Parliament in 2014 to raise awareness for the charity’s Wear a Santa Suit Day.

Children’s hospice and palliative care charities across the UK provide vital care and support. They receive little government funding and rely on public support to continue their vital services for families across the UK. Together for Short Lives aims to ensure that services, like children’s hospices, are able to support families both in the present day and in the future.

For more information on Together for Short Lives, please visit: www.togetherforshortlives.org.uk or call their helpline: 0808 8088 100