Heartfelt fundraising in memory of Millie

Worthing businesswoman Melanie Peters was recently given a warm welcome at Chestnut Tree House as she presented a cheque for more than £5,000 to the children’s hospice charity.

After a jam-packed year of fundraising with support from a range of local businesses, Melanie, who runs Rocket Social Media, handed a cheque for £5,856.50 to the team at Chestnut Tree House in Arundel, in memory of Millie Stoner, a Worthing teenager who died from a brain tumour in 2023.

Melanie said: “Chestnut Tree House is an amazing place, I know that Millie’s mum and dad James and Shelley would not have coped before, during or after Millie’s illness without the support they received from Chestnut Tree House.”

Melanie’s incredible year of fundraising began last Christmas with a ‘Santa’s Grotto’ event at the Guildbourne Centre. In March she held a ticketed fundraiser at Enzo’s Italian Restaurant complete with a musical performance by Jenna Hall, who covered several of Millie’s Disney favourites.

“Millie was a huge Disney fan,” Melanie said, “and her family were there on the night so it was very emotional.”

In June, an award was given in Millie’s name at the newly-founded Worthing Community Awards, named The Millie Stoner Award for Courage and Bravery.

The event alone raised more than £3,500 for Chestnut Tree House.

Community Fundraiser Alice Jalley said: “I would like to say a heartfelt thank you to Mel for all the amazing fundraising she has done for Chestnut Tree House in loving memory of Millie.

“Supporters like Mel mean that we can continue to create magical memories for families who know they do not have long together.”