Charities

Charities we have supported

The Chamber’s charity for 2018/19 was The Children’s Respite Trust. The Children’s Respite Trust is a charity that provides respite for disabled children and support for their families throughout Sussex and parts of Surrey and Kent. The Trust’s team of carers provide respite care in families’ homes throughout the community. The Trust is currently developing a new Centre in Uckfield which will open in the summer of 2018 to provide day care. For more information please go to: www.crtcharity.org

The Chamber’s charity for 2017/18 was Wealden Works a project to get 16-24 year olds back into education, employment or training. Contact details: Lisa Crozier, Task Force Leader, 07437 496651 or go to www.wealdenworks.co.uk for more information.

The Chamber’s charity for 2016/17 was Chestnut Tree House which is the children’s hospice for East and West Sussex and South East Hampshire and cares for 300 children and young adults from 0-19 years of age with progressive life-shortening conditions. The Chamber raised £250.00 over the year for them. For more information please go to: http://www.chestnut-tree-house.org.uk

The Chamber’s charity for 2015/16 was the Heathfield and District Street Pastor initiative who celebrated their 7th birthday in May 2015. Street Pastors are trained volunteers from local churches who care about their community. They patrol in teams of men and women, from 7.30pm to 10.30pm on a Friday night, to care, listen and help anyone on the streets, especially young people, and greet those working in the local night-time economy. Also once a month they patrol on a Friday after school. There are plans to recruit new Street Pastors and extend patrols into other local communities. We raised £250.00 over the year for them.

During 2014-15 the Chamber proudly sponsored the Heathfield and Waldron First Responders’ scheme – responding to emergency calls from Five Ashes, Cross-in-Hand, Heathfield, Waldron, Broad Oak and Punnett’s Town. When you dial 999 you want help fast. Their volunteers are trained by the Ambulance Service to offer a quick local response to medical emergencies. As the First Responders live and work within our local communities they can be on the spot within a few minutes of your making the 999 call. They are able to deliver vital life-saving support while you wait for the arrival of the ambulance. We raised £750.00 over the year to help equip a responder with the necessary equipment.

To volunteer or to contribute to their funds, please contact Dr Tim Williams on 01435 812273 or email hwresponders@live.co.uk.

During 2013-14 the Chamber raised money for the Kent, Surrey & Sussex Air Ambulance Trust which is a registered charity established to provide a Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) to people living, working and travelling through the three counties. The Chamber raised £800.00 over the year.

During 2012-13 the Chamber donated over £1,400 to Chestnut Tree Children’s Hospice which was the nominated charity for that year. This money was raised during Expo, Heathfield’s own Business Exhibition, and also during the Christmas Fun Day. Thank you to everyone who donated to this worthwhile cause.