Over 550 guests enjoyed a Christmas and 10th birthday party rolled into one at the sixth Chestnut Tree House Snowman Spectacular Ball and raised a staggering £265,551 on the night for the children’s hospice.

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Guests experienced an exclusive evening of magical entertainment in a winter wonderland setting inspired by Raymond Briggs’ iconic Snowman, while raising vital funds to help Chestnut Tree House care for life-limited children and their families.

The event was hosted by Peter Cornwell and broadcaster and campaigner, Anne Diamond. Anne visited the hospice in September to see for herself the vital care provided for local children with life-shortening illnesses. Said Anne “I was delighted to be asked to host the Snowman Spectacular Ball and, having met some of the children and staff at the hospice, I know what a wonderful charity this is and what a lifeline it is to local families.”

Linda Perry, Director of Children’s Services at Chestnut Tree House, said: “We are overwhelmed at the amazing support from our wonderful guests at this year’s Snowman Spectacular Fundraising Ball. £265,551 is an incredible sum and will pay for 38 days of care provided by Chestnut Tree House both at our children’s hospice and in the homes of our families. To put it into perspective, this year’s Ball has raised more in one evening than our annual grant from the government. This really will make a huge difference to the children and families in Sussex who so desperately need our help – we couldn’t have asked for a better 10th birthday present.

“Of course, we couldn’t put on a Ball of this scale without the wonderful support of our sponsors, so I would like to thank Mayo Wynne Baxter, The E3 Group, Juice 107.2, Sussex Life, The Hilton Brighton Metropole, West Sussex Print Limited, Classic Consulting, ECE Architecture, Rendezvous Casino and Aquaserve. There are so many people who have been involved with the Ball and I would like to say a huge and heartfelt thank you to each and every one of them on behalf of all of us at Chestnut Tree House – their support is absolutely invaluable.”