My Mum and I are undertaking a Parachute Jump to raise funds for CHASE – a charity very close to our hearts. 

My 14 year-old cousin Kimberley, her parents and siblings have attended Christopher’s hospice for a number of years receiving specialist care and respite from her condition. 

Kimberley has Eisenmenger’s Syndrome. 

Children with Eisenmenger's syndrome are usually born with a large hole in the heart. This usually means there is a hole between the two pumping chambers (ventricles).   This hole permits blood to flow from the oxygen carrying left-side to the oxygen poor right-side. The result is that blue unoxygenated blood flows into the left side of the heart and is pumped to the body.   This means the blood has low oxygen levels resulting in shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, extreme fatigue,  and blue colouring around the lips and extremities.  Treatment for people with Eisenmenger's syndrome is aimed at controlling symptoms and preventing complications.  Medication is the primary treatment option. Surgery to repair the defect once Eisenmenger's syndrome has developed is not possible although heart and lung transplants or lung transplants are options for some people.

It costs around £4million a year to run CHASE. With little statutory funding available they rely on their supporters and fund-raisers for 93% of their income.

Across South West London, Surrey and Sussex, CHASE supports families with children and teenagers not expected to reach their 19th birthday.  CHASE supports families in their own homes and communities and at our children’s hospice, Christopher’s.  They offer nursing, practical and emotional support to help them make the very best of their time together, however long that might be.  Dedicated help is given, starting immediately after diagnosis and continuing through to bereavement and beyond. This is a journey that can last a number of years.   It is only thanks to people like you that they can continue to make this happen.

£10 could pay for specialised feeding equipment.
£25 could pay for a child to receive two hours of specialist care at home.
£50 covers the cost of three hours nursing care and therapy at Christopher’s Hospice.

Without you CHASE would not be able to provide continuing care to life limited children and their families.

We are doing a 10,000ft tandem skydive - freefalling through the air at 120mph!

Please give what you can!