My year of fundraising in memory of a Worthing teenager who died from a brain tumour

Melanie Peters, who runs Rocket Social Media, was given a warm welcome at the hospice in Poling before she presented a cheque for £5,856.50 in memory of Millie Stoner.

She said 2024 was a jam-packed year of fundraising with support from a range of local businesses, including the new Worthing Community Awards.

Millie was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumour in March 2022 and was told she was cancer free the following September. But it returned aggressively in October 2023 and she passed away just three weeks later.

Melanie said: “Chestnut Tree House is an amazing place, I know that Millie’s mum and dad James and Shelley would not have coped before, during or after Millie’s illness without the support they received from Chestnut Tree House."

Melanie’s year of fundraising began at Christmas in 2023 with a Santa’s Grotto event at the Guildbourne Centre in Worthing. In March 2024, she held a ticketed fundraiser at Enzo’s Italian Restaurant complete with a musical performance by Jenna Hall, who covered several of Millie’s Disney favourites.

"Millie was a huge Disney fan,” Melanie explained, “and her family were there on the night, so it was very emotional.”

In June last year, an award was given in Millie’s name at the newly-founded Worthing Community Awards. The Millie Stoner Award for Courage and Bravery went to Millie Shepherd, co-founder of Andy's Angels.

The Worthing Community Awards alone raised more than £3,500 for Chestnut Tree House.

Alice Jalley, the hospice's community fundraiser, said: “I would like to say a heartfelt thank you to Mel for all the amazing fundraising she has done for Chestnut Tree House in loving memory of Millie.

"Supporters like Mel mean that we can continue to create magical memories for families who know they do not have long together.”