An Olympic effort on BBC Radio Sussex

On Friday, 31 January, Olympic gold medallist Sally Gunnell took on the role of guest editor for the morning show on BBC Radio Sussex. As Vice President of Chestnut Tree House, Sally invited the hospice’s Deputy CEO, Becki Jupp to the studio to discuss hospice funding. 

They were joined by David and Tors, parents to 8-year-old Nora, who has complex care needs and is currently being supported by the team at Chestnut Tree House.  

During an interview with radio host Sarah Gorrell, Becki highlighted the significant funding challenges faced by hospices. She emphasised the critical need for community support, noting that the cost of providing all care services at Chestnut Tree House is almost £6 million annually, with only 21% of this amount coming from government funding. 

In addition to this, David and Tors shared how essential Chestnut Tree House is for their family and Nora: “There is no one else that can look after Nora for us. I don’t know what we would do without Chestnut, to be honest. It’s a safe space for her. She can have a wonderful time there being looked after by professionals, but professionals that know her.” 

The reality of hospice funding is that essential services, like those at Chestnut Tree House rely heavily on donations and the generosity of local communities. As a charity, Chestnut Tree House must dedicate a portion of their efforts to fundraising, or they simply would not be able to provide the specialist care that’s so desperately needed. 

Despite numerous challenges, the community has consistently provided support, which is one of the most remarkable aspects of the hospice’s work. 

The team at Chestnut Tree House extend their heartfelt thanks to Sally Gunnell for including them in her show. Opportunities like this are invaluable for raising awareness about their work, and the hospice is extremely grateful for her support. 

Find out more about ways to support Chestnut Tree House.