A leading children's hospice charity, Shooting Star Chase cares for children with life-limiting conditions - and their families. Next week is Children's Hospice Week, dedicated to spreading awareness of their work
Shooting Star Chase provides free care to families, from diagnosis all the way through bereavement. They offer care in a physical and emotional sense, and receive only 10% of their funding from the government, so the support of their volunteers, sponsors and partners is absolutely vital.
This week, they aim to demonstrate the true nature of children's hospices in Britain; vibrant and colourful homes-from-home, where children with life-limiting conditions can enjoy the here and now. Shooting Star Chase (and groups like it) provide the support these families need to make every moment count.
The Friendlies are the charity's mascots, and will be touring around Surrey all week for photo opportunities and kid's activities, as well as a chance to win an iPad Air. See if they're coming anywhere near you, and head along to help support this wonderful charity.
It's possible to volunteer to help out Shooting Star Chase in a variety of roles - at events, hospices, or even at their head office - and they've got a ton of charitable events coming up this year, from skydiving to celebrity golf days to a five-day trek along the Great Wall of China!
More local, though, is their upcoming Sunrise Walk on May 31.
True to the name, the walk starts at 4.30am, meandering from Ham House along three routes (10km, 20km or 30km) around Richmond, passing picturesque dawn sights through local parks and along the river. With your help, it could raise over £40,000 to fund lifelines for those coping with loss.
Don't worry if you're not a well-versed rambler - this event is a stroll with family and friends. You have the option of decorating a paper lantern to light the sunrise at the start of the walk, in memory of a loved one.
Grace Sapsford, with brother Robbie
Michelle Sapsford is earnest in her support. Four years ago, she lost her daughter Grace, and "in circumstances nobody should have to go through, we felt very cared for and protected. Staying at the hospice and being cared for by the staff after Grace’s death gave us that bit of time to come to terms with it. The situation was awful but Shooting Star Chase helped make it the best it could be.”
Entry fees range from £12 to £24 depending on the chosen route and all participants receive a t-shirt, refreshments, a commemorative medal and a breakfast on the day.
You can find out more on the Shooting Star Chase website