Becoming a Fabseiler in memory of Fletcher

Sarah Seal from Elmer, has decided to become a Chestnut abseiled by facing her fear of heights, taking on a 320ft abseil in memory of her nephew, Fletcher.

Fletcher is described by his family as a “little trooper” who loved causing chaos on his scooter, listening to music and like many other young boys, playing games on his Xbox. When Fletcher was six years old, he was diagnosed with stage four neuroblastoma, a life-shortening condition where cancer develops in immature nerve cells.

“He had extreme chemotherapy, radiotherapy, everything. But he didn’t react to it very well and it made him very poorly”, says Sarah, Fletcher’s aunt. “He then had an 11-hour operation to try and remove some of the tumour on his spine. And the amazing thing? He never moaned. Not once.”

“He took everything in his stride. He was a tough little cookie, so robust. At that age, you need to think, ‘does he know what his condition means?’, but that made us just carry life on as normal and try to make light of the situation.”

On 13 June 2017, at just 9 years old, Fletcher sadly passed away. At this hard time, the family were supported by their local children’s hospice, Chestnut Tree House. They were able to use the bereavement facilities at the hospice building to spend some special time with Fletcher and say goodbye in their own way.

“Fletcher has taught me to grab life and be kind always. Life is for living. So, that’s why I am facing my fear of heights and will be 

abseiling down the Spinnaker Tower in a few weeks.”

With Sarah’s abseil on Saturday 28 March, her fundraising is well underway. “So many families are up against it every single day, so, even doing something little makes a big difference. I’m so grateful for the support of the local community, I have already raised an incredible £500 for Chestnut Tree House”.

Sarah will be joined by other Chestnut Fabseilers to take on the iconic Emirates Spinnaker Tower in Portsmouth at the end of March. They will witness breath-taking views over Portsmouth Harbour and the Solent before descending 320ft. Soaring 555ft above sea level, this national icon is taller than Big Ben, Blackpool Tower and the London Eye.

Due to the popular demand of Chestnut Tree House abseils, a new Spinnaker Tower abseil date has been added – Saturday 20 June 2020.

For facing your fears. For making a difference. For the Now.