Grandad helpshospice for Tilly

A golfing grandfather has organised a special event to raise funds for the hospice which is supporting his granddaughter.
Tilly Parrott SUS-170517-111732001Tilly Parrott SUS-170517-111732001
Tilly Parrott SUS-170517-111732001

Friday May 19 will be Eastbourne teenager Tilly Parrott’s 16th Birthday. And her grandfather, Paul Roberts, has found a very special way to mark it: by paying for all of Chestnut Tree’s hospice care services for the day using money raised at a golf event.

Tilly has a rare mutation of the TUBB3 gene, which leaves her unable to care for herself.

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“She can’t walk, talk or feed herself,” says Paul. “She also has global development delay and autistic traits, and finds communication very difficult, meaning that caring for Tilly is a round-the-clock responsibility for my daughter, Debi, and her husband.”

The family got in touch with Chestnut Tree five years ago when they were looking for extra support in caring for Tilly.

Since then the family have enjoyed regular visits from a member of the hospice’s Community Team, allowing them to leave Tilly in a safe and trusted pair of hands whilst they enjoy some quality time together.

“We’d be lost without Jackie, our Care Support Worker,” says mum Debi. “Her visits are invaluable. It means I can actually pick our 13 year old son up from school, we can go to the park, or out for a meal.”

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Paul was amazed by the facilities when he first visited the hospice. He said: “Before we had even left I told my wife that I wanted to raise money for this amazing charity.”

So he went about organising a golf day at Willingdon Golf Club, in June last year which saw a 100 players raised over £8,000 for the charity.

Now he hoped to repeat the success with a second event at the club on June 30.

Entry to this year’s event is £168 for a team of 4, including a two course meal. More information about the golf day and Chestnut Tree’s Pay for A Day scheme are available at www.chestnut-tree-house.org.uk , or you can get in touch on 01323 725095.

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May 19 is Tilly’s day at Chestnut Tree. Her name will be displayed in the reception area. “We were truly amazed by the support we had at the golf day last year and really happy to be paying for a whole day of care,” says Paul.

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