Peter Andre is our new Patron!

Describing how he felt when he first visited Chestnut Tree House in Sussex, Peter Andre said:

“It was so different to what I thought it was going to be. It has an incredible atmosphere – you walk in and everything is so calm and everyone is smiling. . . and definitely no hospital feeling about it.

“Children have the space to just be children, and parents can relax and spend quality time with their child knowing that there are others to help. And it’s not just about the care Chestnut Tree House gives while the children are here. Families can come in a year later, two years later; they’re always going to be welcome.”

In November, at our Nutcracker Ball, Peter heard mum Carly talk about her family’s heartbreak of hearing the news that her daughter Effie had an incurable condition and would die very young. Peter was struck by her sense of isolation and her struggle to get the right support.

Peter Andre added: “No family should face this journey alone, no family should feel isolated or have to fight to get the care they need. Families like Carly’s haven’t got time to waste – and need to know that help is at hand now. Thank goodness that Together for Short Lives was there for Carly. That’s why I’m right behind their national work of reaching out to families and campaigning to make sure every family get the care they need.”

“I’m really blown away by the work of Chestnut Tree House and Together for Short Lives. What they do is incredible and I am honoured to become a Patron of both charities.”

One parent who met Peter at Chestnut Tree House commented that he “just got it” and Clinical Nurse Manager, Caroline McCullough, who showed him around the children’s hospice said:

“Peter was genuinely interested in what we do and the families we care for, and that was so lovely to see. He spent lots of time with the children and their parents and seemed to instantly understand what we’re all about. We’re delighted that he is becoming a Patron of Chestnut Tree House and hope that it will help others to see what wonderful, and vital, places children’s hospices are.”

Andy Fletcher, CEO for Together for Short Lives added: “Thank you Peter, it’s wonderful to welcome you as our Patron. Peter is passionate about helping families facing the unimaginable grief of knowing their child will die young. Peter’s support and generosity will make such a difference – he’s a fabulous family ambassador and will help us reach out to more families like Carly’s. Peter’s patronage will be a real boost to the UK’s 54 children’s hospices – helping to break taboos about children’s hospice care, so families are reassured and are not afraid to seek their help and support.”