Team walkingthe Great Wallto aid children

Chestnut Tree House children’s hospice, based in Poling near Arundel, launched its most ambitious fundraising ploy in August last year – one that has seen about 50 people from all walks of life in Sussex sign-up to join. For months, fundraisers from the China Challenge team have been training and raising as much cash as possible for the exploit. David Hill and Lukasz Wojcik will both be taking on the once-in-a-lifetime challenge together, jetting off to Beijing on October 10 to trek the Great Wall of China on a nine-day adventure. However, for David, it’s not the first time he has helped the hospice drum-up extra cash. The 47-year-old, of Hove, runs the E3 production company and has been instrumental in organising the hospice’s successful Snowman Balls, which have generated in the region of £80,000 for the charity over seven years. David said: “It changes lives – that’s how I would sum up Chestnut Tree House. It changes the lives of children and their families for the better. You can’t help but be touched by the work it does. “I have spent so many hours with the kids whether it’s in the Woodland Walk or in the multi-sensory room and they just love it there. “Chestnut Tree House for these children is a place that’s special for them and a place that they can go and have fun. “They can go and do the things that other children can do; they can just be normal kids and that’s so important. “The joy that gives their parents is insurmountable. The memories that gives the families are just incredible.” So far, the duo have almost reached their £6,850 target and hope their final fundraising event, next week, will finally hit the mark. David has organised a night of comedy and song at Proud Cabaret Brighton, for Wednesday, September 9. Tickets are only £10 each and they can be purchased by calling The E3 office on 01273 719759. to donate to the cause visit www.justgiving.com/David-Hill23/. Don’t miss out on all the latest breaking news where you live. Here are four ways you can be sure you’ll be amongst the first to know what’s going on. 1 Make our website your homepage at www.hastingsobserver.co.uk 2 Like our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/hastingsobserver 3 Follow us on Twitter @HastingsObs 4 Register with us by clicking on ‘sign in’ (top right corner). You can then receive our daily newsletter AND add your point of view to stories that you read here. And do share with your family and friends - so they don’t miss out! The Hastings Observer - always the first with your local news. Be part of it.