A children’s hospice is not just about dying, it is about living with uncertainty. It is not just about specialist healthcare, it is about the importance of love, kindness and compassion for those going through the most difficult of times.

CHATUK (Children’s Hospices Across The UK) is the innovative vision of children’s nurse Francesca Lennon to raise money and awareness for children’s hospices nationally. Vitally, she is raising funds for children’s palliative care charity, Together for Short Lives, to support children’s hospices. Her first major project saw her cycle to all 54 children’s hospice services in the UK in 2022, cycling over 3400 miles in 70 days.

Just four months before the start of her challenge in 2022, Francesca devastatingly experienced her own personal loss, when her best friends son Henry died from Acute Myeloid Leukaemia at 9 years old. It is with a huge amount of love that she is dedicating CHATUK to Henry and has named her bike after him too. Henry always wanted to help others and Francesca hopes that through their story she will have an even more powerful message to spread with ChatUK.

This year CHAT UK is back with CHAT UK and friends! A week long challenge that will see a team of wonderful people, brought about through CHAT UK connections, visiting 7 different children's hospices, one for each day of the week, cycling a 54 mile loop from each one to represent the 54 children's hospices in the UK.

MEET THE TEAM!

Hua - the dad of Henry, who CHAT UK is dedicated to. It feels incredibly meaningful that Francesca and Hua will start the week cycling together from Demelza, the children's hospice that cared for Henry after he died and continues to support their family.

Tony - a dad and fundraiser for Acorns who raises money in memory of his daughter, Milla

Kevin: a physio from Acorns and hardcore cycling enthusiast, who completed 'Tour de Hospice' with fellow team member Philip in 2021

Nabil: the husband of Francesca and a paediatric nephrology consultant at Evelina Children's Hospital

Phillip: a physio from Rainbows Children's Hospice who did his own cycling challenge of 'Tour de Hospice' in 2021

Darren: a dad who's daughter is supported by Helen House Children's Hospice

Duncan: a dad and fundraiser at Martin House Children's Hospice

Camilla: Francesca's mum and her training partner

Nick: Francesca's friends dad's friend (don't you just love the connections?!) - who became a firm part of the CHAT UK family after joining rides in CHAT UK

They will be visiting:

Monday 17th June: Demelza Sittingbourne (Francesca and Hua)

Tuesday 18th June: Acorns, Worcester (Francesca, Tony, Nabil and Kevin)

Wednesday 19th June: CHSW Charlton Farm (Francesca)

Thursday 20th June: Ty Hafan (Francesca and Camilla)

Friday 21st June: Rainbows (Philip and Hua)

Saturday 22nd June: Martin House (Hua and Duncan)

Sunday 23rd June: Derian House (Hua)

BONUS CHILDREN'S HOSPICE:

Monday 17th June: Helen and Douglas House - thanks to the wonderful Darren Holmes!

There are 54 hospices across the UK that support seriously ill children and their families during their most difficult times, but with over 99,000 seriously ill children, hospices are struggling to raise the funds that they need to continue their vital work. CHATUK’s founding belief is that every child with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions should have access to the care and support they need and deserve.

Thank you so much for your support. Because of you, we're making a difference to seriously ill children all over the UK.

We couldn't do it without you.