A HOSPICE has thanked some of its supporters in style.

More than 100 people attended the 2019 Chestnut Tree House Business Awards at South Lodge Hotel near Horsham.

Held biennially, the awards were created to recognise businesses and individual employees who are outstanding in their communities and to thank them for supporting the hospice which is in Poling near Arundel.

The event was hosted by BBC Sussex presenter Allison Ferns and Chestnut Tree House vice president Ambrose Harcourt.

There were more than 80 nominations which were narrowed down by a panel of judges. The winners and grand finalists were:

Outstanding Individual Fundraiser: Jamie Alderton from Bognor

Jamie Alderton first visited Chestnut Tree House in 2017, which inspired him to take on his first challenge for the charity – running backwards for 24 hours. With the aid of his large social media following, Jamie smashed his original fundraising target, raising almost £18,000 and is now in training for his next charity challenge and world record attempt – to box jump the height of Mount Everest in 24 hours.

Grand finalists: Sarah Hurst and Lorrie Maslen

Fundraising Team of the Year: AJW Aviation from Slinfold

AJW Aviation has supported Chestnut Tree House for nine years, contributing in a number of ways.

Last year alone, the team raised and donated more than £12,000, bringing their total to £45,000 since 2010.

The firm aims to engage all staff in fundraising activities and last year the team organised events including cake sales, quizzes, a collection in the canteen and a golf day. Three members of the team also took part in the Chestnut Tree House abseil at Arundel Castle.

Grand finalists: Airwave and Barclays

Most Innovative Fundraising Idea: Dometic, Surrey

After nominating Chestnut Tree House as its charity of the year in 2018, Dometic set about coming up with a fundraising event to engage their staff and the wider community.

It organised an Irish barn dance, where the supply chain manager led the dancing for three hours. The event raised £7,800.

Grand finalists: David Page and Penguin Ventures

Outstanding Voluntary Project: Adam Kerry and friends

Last August, Adam Kerry and a group of his friends and family pushed a Darling Buds of May-style lorry for 20 miles, raising money for charity in memory of Adam’s father, Tony.

It raised £34,380, which was donated to Chestnut Tree House and the Stroke Association.

Grand finalists: Blue Dawg and Sophie Mitchell

Outstanding Small Business: The Green Tree Gallery in Borde Hill Garden, Haywards Heath.

The Green Tree Gallery celebrated its tenth anniversary in 2018 by adopting Chestnut Tree House as its charity of the year.

The year-long campaign set out to raise funds and awareness and included an exhibition themed on the charity, entitled Through The Eyes Of A Child.

It also collaborated with photographer Sophie Mitchell, curating an original exhibition featuring two Chestnut Tree House children.

Their enthusiasm and commitment helped spread the word about the hospice and also raised more than £2,500.

Grand finalists: Bramptons Butchers and Portslade Health Centre

Outstanding SME Supporter: Knockhatch Adventure Park, Hailsham

Knockhatch Adventure Park started supporting Chestnut Tree House in 2017. Its current fundraising total exceeds £6,000 but the support goes beyond that.

It has also invited the hospice’s community team to visit during regular care sessions with local children, completely free, and the team regularly goes the extra mile when Chestnut Tree House children and families visit.

Grand finalists: Bennett Griffin and Watsons Associates

Outstanding Corporate Supporter: Shoreham Vehicle Auctions

In 2011, Shoreham Vehicle Auctions chose Chestnut Tree House as one of the charities to benefit from a car and van auction, which raised more than £1,900. This figure doubled the following year, and the event kept on growing, raising £34,000 last year.

To date, it has raised more than £134,000.

Grand finalists: Green People and Vitacress

Outstanding Long Term Supporter: Teddy Bear Run

Set up in 2012, the Teddy Bear Run involves a group of car enthusiasts driving from Goodwood Motor Circuit to Chestnut Tree House every December to deliver teddy bears – and money raised – to the hospice.

The first Teddy Bear Run was made up of 30 cars but it now exceeds 120.

Last year it raised £16,000 and offers children at Chestnut Tree House a special experience to see and sit in the cars.

Grand finalists: Creative Pod and South Lodge

Corporate Legacy Award

Chestnut Tree House presented a special Corporate Legacy Award to Willmott Dixon.

This was introduced to recognise the incredible commitment shown by Willmott Dixon, both in terms of fundraising and offering time, skills and experience over the last five years.

The organisation prides itself in existing to have a purpose beyond profit and has committed to making a meaningful, sustainable and positive impact on society.

When Willmott Dixon chose to support the children’s hospice in 2014, its original goal was to raise at least £6,850 – the amount Chestnut Tree House needs to raise every day to pay for all their specialist care services.

The team smashed this target, raising enough to pay for one week of care.

In 2015, it paid for two weeks of care, which it exceeded in 2016, 2017 and 2018. By December last year, Willmott Dixon had raised more than £700,000 for Chestnut Tree House.

But for Willmott Dixon, it is about more than fundraising.