CHAT UK Project
1968. Francesca Lennon
Francesca Lennon, from Buckinghamshire, is a children’s nurse who has set herself the challenge to cycle to all 54 children's hospices across the UK, covering 3,200 miles to raise awareness, funds and hope for seriously ill children.
Francesca’s challenge, named ‘CHAT UK Project’ (Children’s Hospices Across The UK), was inspired after the loss of her close friend’s son, Henry, who died from leukaemia at the age of nine, as well as from her own experiences working in the children’s hospice sector seeing firsthand the difficulties many families face in managing the needs of a sick child. The challenge is aiming to raise £500,000 to support children’s hospices around the UK as well as children’s palliative care charity ‘Together for Short Lives’.
Francesca said:
“I am hugely honoured to receive this award on behalf of children’s hospices across the UK and all those that have been involved in making ‘CHAT UK’ what it is today.
“Every day, the 54 children’s hospices in the UK are points of light in the lives of seriously ill children and their families and require a huge team of staff, volunteers and community fundraisers, all going above and beyond to ensure these children get the vital care and support they need. I hope this award can strengthen our mission to raise the funds and awareness needed for children’s hospices across the UK and the support seriously ill children and their families need.
“I’d like to dedicate this award to Henry, my best little buddy, who always wanted to help others and continues to do so through the lives of all those that have known and loved him.”
Pictured below: Francesca with Henry
