Wesham woman's marathon efforts to raise funds for Derian House in Chorley

A woman's decision to run a half marathon in memory of her friend's son sparked a chain of events resulting in huge support for Derian House.
Sarah Cholmondeley  with Georgina Bentley (holding a photo of her son Sebastian), and Susie Poppitt, fund-raising manager at Derian HouseSarah Cholmondeley  with Georgina Bentley (holding a photo of her son Sebastian), and Susie Poppitt, fund-raising manager at Derian House
Sarah Cholmondeley with Georgina Bentley (holding a photo of her son Sebastian), and Susie Poppitt, fund-raising manager at Derian House
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Financial expert, Sarah Cholmondeley took on the Manchester Half Marathon in honour of Sebastian Salter, of Euxton, who died at the Chorley-based children’s hospice in December 2016, aged six. Sarah wanted to do something to show support for her friend, Sebastian's mum, Georgina Bentley.

She approached a business associate, Michael Ellis, of Michael Ellis Wealth Management Ltd, and a senior partner of St James’s Place, to sponsor the run, which took place last October. He suggested Derian House approach the St James’s Place Charitable Foundation to add to her campaign.

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Derian House submitted a case to the foundation for funding, focussing on the Cornerstones bereavement support service for grandparents, and the hospice received £2,500 in addition to more than £1,700 raised by Sarah in sponsorship.

Since then, Sarah’s husband, Robert, who last year was President of the Chartered Insurance Institute of Preston and Blackpool, chose Derian as the charity to support at the Institute’s annual dinner dance, with a further £650 raised in support of Cornerstones bereavement support for grandparents.

Sarah, of Wesham, said: “I’m thrilled the money we’ve raised in memory of Sebastian is going to support the Cornerstones project. It feels we’re going to make a real difference at Derian House, which in caring for Sebastian, made a tremendous difference to him and his family.”

Susie Poppitt, head of fund-raising at Derian House, added: “Sarah’s support is now paying off, as we have been able to book our first social trip to Botany Bay for our grandparents.”Derian House is celebrating its 25th anniversary. Can you incorporate 25 in your fund-raising? For more information call 01257 271 271.