Caring for a child who is not expected to survive into adulthood is the most difficult journey a family will ever face. CHASE Hospice Care for Children provides support every step of the way - from diagnosis through bereavement and beyond, free of charge, for however long that journey lasts.

CHASE care is tailored to each family's needs. Christopher's, a purpose-built children's hospice near Guildford, has nine bedrooms and is a true home-from-home. Here the whole family can take a break together. Alternatively, the life-limited child can enjoy some independence while other family members benefit from a rest elsewhere. Christopher's is able to provide a high level of supportive respite, as well as palliative and end-of-life care. There are inevitably sad times at Christopher's but there is also much fun and laughter, creating magical memories that will never be forgotten.

For most of the journey with a life-limited child, however, the family home is the crucial point of need, met by practical and emotional support from the specially-trained CHASE Community Care team.

The Symcox family in Ashtead is one of more than 200 currently benefiting from CHASE support in Surrey, south-west London and West Sussex. Thomas, just a year old, has an extremely rare form of chronic leukaemia. But despite this, he and his older brother and sister enjoyed a recent tea party for toddlers at Christopher's.