Party time to help hospice and remember brave Mark

A MOTHER whose terminally ill son died at Chestnut Tree House children's hospice, is holding a birthday party for him in his memory

Mark Havers enjoyed helping to raise money for the hospice and the party will do the same.

Mark died in 2003, aged 17, after suffering meningitis as a baby and then infantile refsum's syndrome, which left him partially sighted and totally deaf.

Doctors at the time said it was unlikely he would live past the age of eight.

He attended Highdown School in Worthing, where he was adored by his teachers and fellow pupils, and with Penny he would visit the theatre, discos, pantomimes and zoos.

Mark was one of the first children to become involved with Chestnut Tree House. He and Penny were often pictured in the local papers participating in numerous promotional activities.

He was there at the turf digging ceremony at the very start of the building work and his handprint is on one of the roof tiles.

Once the hospice was completed, Mark attended day care sessions there, particularly enjoying the multi-sensory room with its coloured lights, textured surfaces and soft music.

Penny is organising the party, to be held on Mark's birthday, Sunday, April 10, at the Charmandean Centre in Worthing.

The fun starts at 3.30pm and will continue all afternoon with face-painting, a disco, live music, a raffle and lots of party food.

Tickets cost 5 per person or 20 for a family and can be obtained from Penny on 01903 770556.

There are potentially 400 families with life-limited children in West Sussex. Chestnut Tree House offers support for them and their whole families.

The hospice costs about of 1.25m a year to run.

Families are not charged for their care and the hospice receives no government funding at all and so it relies completely on the generosity, help and support of the people of West Sussex.