Willmott Dixon Construction celebrates ten years of supporting Chestnut Tree House

South East construction company Willmott Dixon Construction is celebrating ten years of supporting children’s hospice Chestnut Tree House near Arundel – with their overall contributions totalling £903,000.

The team raised money through fundraising challenges which included hiking and biking many hundreds of miles, organising golf days, volunteering their time and donating goods to the charity’s shops.

Willmott Dixon Construction chose to support the children’s hospice in 2014 when a family friend of a colleague entered the hospice’s care. Their original goal was to raise £6,850 – the cost of specialist care per day at the time. The team smashed this target, raising enough to pay for one week of care. In 2015, they paid for two weeks of care, which they have exceeded every year since.

In 2019, Chestnut Tree House presented a special Corporate Legacy Award to Willmott Dixon Construction to recognise their incredible commitment to the charity.  Speaking at a cheque presentation recognising their latest donation, director Ian Edwards said: “We have been delighted to support Chestnut Tree House and the fantastic work they do here. Of course, our fundraising challenges and volunteering have brought us closer as a team as well. I’m very proud of the team’s efforts – we’ve had in excess of 100 people each year join some of our challenges. One of my most enduring memories of our fundraising is cycling in the Lake District, riding up Hardknott Pass.  It’s so steep even cars struggle, and we were battling our way up in torrential rain!”

Chestnut Tree House’s Corporate Fundraising Manager, Alison Taylor, said: “Chestnut Tree House cares for children and young people with life-limiting conditions and their families. We help them make magical memories in the time they have together, offering opportunities they might not otherwise be able to enjoy, such as swimming together in our hydrotherapy pool or getting close to nature in our Woodland Walk.

“It costs more than £5m each year to provide all of Chestnut Tree House’s care services, with only 17% of that coming from government. We are so thankful for Willmott Dixon Construction’s significant financial contribution over the years, as well as the many volunteer hours they have given us.”