On 11th September we will be walking (or, in the case of Ian and Elliot, partly running ) 10 miles in memory of Peter Bowron and in aid of CHASE. Pete was a close colleague of Ian's and his loss had a profound effect on all of us.

Peter Bowron was a great publisher. He began an illustrious career in 1989 as Hodder & Stoughton’s graduate trainee, then moved first to Simon and Schuster, then to Penguin, and eventually to Random House, where he held the position of Group Managing Director until his tragically early death at the age of 40, in January 2009.

To know Pete just by reputation was to know that he was one of the most able and talented publishers of his generation, well respected, much loved and destined for greatness. But to know Pete as a man was to understand that – as much as he loved the industry he worked in – what he lived for was his family – his wife Clare, and his children Anna, John and Sally.

Pete and Clare’s beloved and longed-for first child Anna was born in May 1999 with a rare chromosomal defect, hard to diagnose, and devastating in its effect. Severe setbacks in her early childhood left Anna unable to walk or talk, with profound needs that put Pete and Clare under extreme stress. Anna spent prolonged and frequent periods of time in hospital, and, when she was able to be at home, caring for her became increasingly difficult and exhausting. Watching a child they loved so much suffer and deteriorate was an unimaginable thing for Pete and Clare. And looking after a child like Anna every day creates a strain most of us can have no idea about.

The Bowrons first visited CHASE in January 2006, just before the birth of their daughter Sally. They had never left Anna anywhere before. To discover that Anna was happy and calm there, beautifully cared for while her parents spent time with their other children, and got some rest, was an extraordinary moment of relief. Over the next three years, Anna was able to visit Christopher’s House, just outside Guildford, many times, staying for a few nights at a time, offering respite care that was vital to Pete, Clare, John and Sally. To people who have never been to a children’s hospice, the very idea can be unbearably sad. CHASE is not like that at all. It’s a happy, friendly, colourful place, full of love and laughter, where a phenomenal, committed staff, give children and their families not only excellent care, but joy, play, and precious, precious time.

Since Pete’s death, although Anna is no longer able to live at home, CHASE have continued to play an equally invaluable part in the life of his family. Immediately after he died, CHASE took Anna for six weeks while Clare began to reconstruct her shattered family life and deal with all the practical matters that come along with such a devastating event. They have been able to offer counseling to Clare, John and Sally, as well as facilitating stays where Clare and her children can all be together again – safely, and with the help she needs.

CHASE provides a lifeline, not only for Pete’s family, but for all the families the organisation is able to help.

Any support you feel able to give us in aid of our attempts to raise money for CHASE and the families it helps will be very much appreciated.

Love

Ian,Nicky, Elliot, Tom and Georgia Hudson