Sussex mum raising money for hospice that cared for son

Gemma Mogford, 44, from Battle, lost her son, Owen, five years ago after he was diagnosed with a brain tumour.

Gemma says Owen's love for the outdoors inspired her to sign up for the Castle Night Trek to raise money for charity.

She and a group of friends will be walking 10k steps throughout the grounds of Herstmonceux Castle to raise funds for Chestnut Tree House.

Gemma said: “Owen loved exploring the outdoors - especially the woods.

Owen as a baby

“Sadly, he isn’t able to join me on the trek as he died of a brain tumour five years ago, when he was just seven.

"But we used to go on walks all the time. It’s something that we loved doing together and I feel close to Owen when I go out for a walk."

Speaking about why she wanted to support Chestnut Tree House, Gemma said: “Six weeks before Owen died, Chestnut Tree House became our home, and we were given the most precious time to step back from the illness and the medication and focus on us, our family.

“They had space for us all to stay, including close family members, one being my mum who shared a room with my daughter Esther to support with her care as she was just four-years-old.

"I couldn’t bear for the children to be separated, and the kindness shown to all of us was endless.

"The cook even asked Owen what he wanted to eat, every day – usually roast dinners, pate on toast, olives and ice creams."

Gemma said that the hospice helped her family with their grief, such as by assisting to plan Owen's funeral and helping Esther.

Owen and his sister Esther

The hospice provided Esther with a camera to take photos before he died.

Gemma added: "At the time I thought they were bonkers. But the photos that Esther took have turned out to be the most precious keepsakes and memories we have of that time.

"Looking back, I don’t know what we would’ve done without it.

You can find out more about Castle Night Trek at www.chestnut.org.uk/castlenighttrek