Nadine's Chestnut Charity Cycle

Whilst many of us may be planning a holiday in Britain this summer, not too many will be seeing quite as much of it as local solicitor Nadine Ashford of Lawson Lewis Blakers.

On 23 July, Nadine will begin a ‘downhill’ north to south cycle ride of Britain, from John o’Groats to Land’s End.

Nadine aims to pedal the 984 mile route in 2 weeks to raise money for the only children’s hospice in Sussex. Chestnut Tree House, located near Arundel, cares for children and young adults from birth to 19 years of age, with progressive, life-limiting and life-threatening illnesses. The hospice also provides practical, physical and emotional care and support to their families. As it receives very little government funding, it relies almost entirely on the generosity, help and support of the people of Sussex.

Nadine is an intrepid charity fundraiser, having previously participated in sponsored events including; a cross-Channel relay swim, North of England coast-to-coast cycle from Whitehaven to Newcastle, and climbs to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro and base camp of Mount Everest.

Nadine is part of a team of 7 cycling the entire route, accompanied by a support vehicle donated by Choice Hire. The planned itinerary involves covering between 65 to 85 miles a day. These distances are dictated by the availability of stopover accommodation, which in the Highlands of Scotland can be few and far between.

Sponsoring the cycle really will help make a difference, enabling the Chestnut Tree House to provide all of its wonderful care services to many more children and their families. Although it has up to 10 beds available for use, its current level of income only provides funding for 6 of these. To make the remaining beds available, their income needs to rise from around £2 million to £3 million per year.

To sponsor Nadine and the team online, please visit www.justgiving.com/end2endcycle2011 or alternatively, sign the sponsorship form or make a donation by visiting Lawson Lewis Blakers.’s office at 11 Hyde Gardens, Eastbourne.

To find out more about the Chestnut Tree House Hospice visit their website at:http://www.chestnut-tree-house.org.uk The charity also has a shop located at 11 Langney Road, Eastbourne, and welcomes visitors to buy and donate.