Plans to celebrate a special 21st birthday

Friends of Sussex Hospices (FSH) comes of age with a variety of celebrations marking its 21st year including a unique trail across our countryside.
By The Newsroom
Published 1st Dec 2015, 10:40 BST

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TIM WONNACOTT STANDS AT DITCHLING BEACON TO LAUNCH FRIENDS OF EAST SUSSEX HOSPICES RENAMING TO FRIENDS OF SUSSEX HOSPICES.TIM WONNACOTT STANDS AT DITCHLING BEACON TO LAUNCH FRIENDS OF EAST SUSSEX HOSPICES RENAMING TO FRIENDS OF SUSSEX HOSPICES.
TIM WONNACOTT STANDS AT DITCHLING BEACON TO LAUNCH FRIENDS OF EAST SUSSEX HOSPICES RENAMING TO FRIENDS OF SUSSEX HOSPICES.

The charity, which raises funds for all 12 Sussex hospice care providers, was started in 1995 by a small group of volunteers who organised a Christmas Fair to raise money when the Martlets Hospice was being built in Hove. FSH now has 130 volunteers who have raised and distributed £1.5 million to the hospices which, as independent charities, rely on funds raised from people in their local communities.

The headline event of the anniversary year will be Festival 21, an entertainment-packed family fun day featuring a Great War air show, battle re-enactments, classic and vintage cars, an old-time fun fair and live music, including a laser light show and spectacular fireworks finale. This event, at Danny House in Hurstpierpoint on September 3, 2016, will bring together and celebrate the work of the 12 hospice care providers who care directly for 10,000 people in Sussex each year and touch the lives of many more.

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In addition to its fundraising events for 2016, FSH is creating something unique in the UK - a permanent long distance footpath to commemorate its 21st anniversary. The Sussex Hospices Trail will comprise 26 walks, covering a 200-mile circuit and connecting all 12 Sussex hospice care providers. It will be a place for fundraising events as well as a valuable legacy to be enjoyed by thousands of walkers who can celebrate the beauty of the Sussex countryside whilst remembering the friends or family they hold dear.

Almost all of the walks have been sponsored by individuals and most in memory of a loved one who received hospice care. FSH Patron and BBC antiques show presenter Tim Wonnacott has sponsored a walk. He said: “Using the many public footpaths in Sussex is one of the great joys of living here and it’s particularly special that Friends of Sussex Hospices have given the opportunity to individuals to sponsor sections of the trail and I am very happy to be supporting this initiative.”

To find out more about The Sussex Hospices Trail and all other events visit the FSH website at www.friendsofsussexhospices.org.uk

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Related topics:SussexHove