The annual Chestnut Tree House Littlehampton 10k returned on Sunday 8th September to Littlehampton Beach Promenade for the 16th year. With a new 5k route for 2019, the Littlehampton 10k & 5k attracted 1,600 runners – from individuals and groups of friends to corporate groups and running clubs – and is set to raise £70,000 for the charity.
Keith Akerman, 46, from Chichester ran the 5k route and was the first person to cross the finish line. He was followed by the 5k runner-up, Stuart Adesilu, and fastest female 5k runner, Alice Cox-Rusbridge, 18, also from Chichester. Both Keith and Alice are part of the Chichester Runners club.
The 10k race was won by 35-year-old Jamie Corbett from Worthing, with Gary Tomlinson in second place. Penny Scott-Andrews, 39, from Angmering was the fastest female 10k runner. Trophies were presented by the Mayor of Littlehampton, Tracey Baker, and Chestnut Tree House Trustee, Ruth Taylor. Tracey Baker also helped by officially starting the race.
In addition to runners pushing for personal bests, there were several individuals and teams running in memory of children cared for by Chestnut Tree House.
Led by Lorna and Steve Cobbett, and inspired by their triplet daughter, Essie, who sadly passed away aged 18 months in August 2017, Team Essie has played a prominent part in the Littlehampton 10k for the last two years. Made up of around 100 runners dressed in bespoke red t-shirts, Team Essie is hoping to raise £15,000 by taking part in this year’s event.
Another large team running in memory of a loved one was Team Rudy. 28 people joined Andy and Laura Heward to form the team in memory of their son, Rudy, who was stillborn at 39 weeks. “We took part in the Littlehampton 10k to say thank you,” says Andy Heward. “Chestnut Tree House helped me, and my family, in a difficult time, so we did the run and fundraised for them in Rudy’s memory.” Team Rudy are set to raise over £5,000.
Chestnut Tree House provides care and support to around 300 children with life-shortening conditions and their families across Sussex and South East Hampshire, both at the hospice and in families’ own homes. The cost of providing this service is over £4 million per year, yet the hospice receives less than 6% central government funding so relies on the generosity and support of the community to continue providing vital care to local children and families.
