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Can you help families like Summer's this Christmas?

Make a one off donation of:
£35
£52
£100
Other
£

“This time of year is tough, but our memories of Summer at Chestnut fill us with warmth.”

No parents should have to experience the devastating loss of their child. Samantha and Phil share the story of their nine-year-old daughter Summer, and how they found comfort at Chestnut Tree House in her final three weeks.

Watch Summer's story

Summer with her family wearing Christmas outfits

When your happy family life gets turned upside down, you need people who understand, who know how to be there for you through the toughest of moments.

Summer in garden, smiling at the camera

Summer was a happy and healthy nine-year-old girl. She was intelligent, funny, and had an amazing sense of empathy. She loved being the baby and the boss of the family, and everyone wanted to be her friend.

Summer started feeling unwell at the beginning of the school summer holidays saying that her head really hurt. After Samantha and Phil took Summer to the doctors she was tragically diagnosed with an incurable brain tumour. They were given the shocking news that they had anything from five days to seven months left with their precious daughter.

Summer making a snow angel

It was Summer's palliative care nurse who told Samantha and Phil about Chestnut Tree House, so they decided to come for a visit. Summer thought the hospice was great. She loved the pool, the video games, the garden, and particularly, loved the attention from the staff.

After she had a seizure in the hospital, Summer's doctors told her family to expect the worst. They didn't want Summer to die in the hospital, so an ambulance blue-lighted Summer and her family to the hospice. As a result, they were able to spend three special weeks together where her parents no longer needed to be her carers, they could just be Summer's Mummy and Daddy.

Even though she was sick, Summer thought so much about the other children at Chestnut Tree House and even organised a disco!

Summer holding a flower and smiling

You're not taught to be a parent. So you're definitely not taught to be a parent of a dying child.

a photo of Summer in a white decorative frame with moulded wings

Three weeks after arriving at the House, we laid Summer to rest in our Stars bereavement suite. Here, her family could say their final goodbyes in a peaceful and dignified environment.

It's been five years since Summer died, and her family and friends still feel the pain of her loss, especially at Christmas.

This Christmas, will you give a very special gift and ensure more families like Summer's get the specialist care Chestnut Tree House can provide?

£35

could give a family a precious keepsake memory box, and the chance to create hand casts of their child

£52

could pay for a counsellor or psychotherapist, offering vital emotional support for a family

£100

could help pay towards our care services on Christmas Day

You can help families like Summer's receive our care and support

Will you give a donation today for families who need Chestnut Tree House this Christmas? So that whatever else they're facing, they can spend precious time with their child in a supportive space.

Make a one off donation of:
£35
£52
£100
Other
£

What we do

Thank you for choosing to donate to us today. Your donation helps fund the amazing facilities and activities we offer at Chestnut Tree House, and our loving support for children like Summer and their families.
Chestnut Tree House gardens
Facing bereavement
We provide grief support for families who have lost a child, or who are coming to terms with the possibility of losing a child.
Read more
Having fun in Chestnut Tree House garden
Our services
We offer a total package of practical, social and spiritual support throughout each child’s life.
Read more
Child smiling looking over her parent's shoulder
The impact your donation makes
Without your incredible help we wouldn't be able to continue to support children with life-threatening and life-limiting illnesses - your donation can make all the difference.
Read more
Donate today

Help support local families this Christmas

Make a one off donation of:
£35
£52
£100
Other
£

Help support local families this Christmas

Make a one off donation of:
£35
£52
£100
Other
£