Sebastian's Action Trust

News

Sebastian’s Dream is another step closer

Sebastian’s dream of creating a holiday house where seriously ill children can spend time with their families came a step closer to reality this week when plans for the scheme were given the go-ahead by Basingstoke borough planners.

Sebastian’s family and the Trust team were delighted when, after months of hard work and negotiations with planning officials, councillors on Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council’s Development Control Committee voted unamimously in favour of the scheme on Wednesday night (17th September).

The house will include two-four bedroom apartments, allowing two families to stay at any one time, with shared leisure facilities featuring a swimming pool, games room, library, sensory room and a caretaker’s flat. It will be built in the picturesque Hampshire village of North Waltham, on a site gifted to the Trust by landowner Pat Sweeney.

Nine-year-old Sebastian came up with the idea for the a holiday house shortly before he died on Christmas Eve 2003. He had been battling cancer for two-and-a-half years.

Sebastian’s mum Jane Gates said:
“ We are thrilled. Knowing that the Development Control Committee voted in support of our application unanimously is a tremendous accolade and one that is thoroughly deserved by the team of professionals who worked so hard putting our planning application together and gave their services free of charge. This is a momentous step closer towards realising Sebastian’s wish and now the serious business of building this wonderful holiday home will begin in earnest.

In all probability Sebastian would be overwhelmed by all that has been achieved in his name, but also incredibly thankful for the tremendous support that has been given to his immediate family and the Trust. He would be so grateful to all who have so generously given their time, energy, services, commitment and shared a belief in his vision.”

The Trust hopes that the first ground works for the holiday house will begin before Christmas this year.

Lands End to John O’Groats Challenge. Day 15
Tongue to John O’Groats – 66 miles

This is it, our final day has arrived, we were up at 6.30am and on the road by 7.00am. The weather was dry but windy as we made our way along the hilly coast road and into Thurso for breakfast - a bacon & egg sandwich and some Scottish Pie – very tasty!

And then, the wind down….. the last 20 miles took us to John O’Groats and the end of our journey. In the past 15 days we have covered 1038 miles, we have seen Britain end to end, we are fit for the beginning of the rugby season and, most importantly, we have raised nearly £3,000 for Sebastian’s Action Trust through the kind donations from family & friends.

Thought for the day!

It has been a fantastic experience for us and we want to say a really BIG ‘Thank you’ to everyone who has supported us on our journey, in particular:

Our parents, who were, quite literally, with us all the way!
Our family and friends, who encouraged us with kind words and generous donations,
Jane, Sebastian's Mum, and Sarah at Sebastian's Action Trust who followed our progress with enthusiasm,
And finally...Sebastian, whose memory gave purpose and meaning to our journey.

Did someone mention Capetown to Gamvik next time? – It’s OK Mum, we’re only joking!

Lands End to John O’Groats Challenge. Day 14
Carbisdale Castle to Tongue – 45 miles

As we had a relative short distance to cover today, and in the interests of furthering our education, Dad/Mike concluded it was imperative we visited the nearby Glenmorangie distillery before setting off.

Suitably enlightened in the delicate art of Whisky making, we headed north on the road to Tongue. The roads are much quieter here and with few houses and fewer cafes/shops, lunch, or lack of it, was a distinct concern. However, Mike (Ray Mears) was prepared. Armed with an instant BBQ, an umbrella & a penknife, he conjured up a delicious lunch of sausages & kebabs, eaten under an umbrella in a light shower!

After lunch, a long climb rewarded us with an amazing view of the wild and beautiful north coast before an exhilarating descent into Tongue.

Thought for the day!

This place is stunning - Alex wants to live here!

Lands End to John O’Groats Challenge. Day 13
Loch Ness to Carbisdale Castle – 67 miles

We took our search for Nessie seriously, and discovered that Urquhart Castle guards the deepest part of the Loch where the monster is often sighted. We took a short detour, optimistic that she would be keen to meet us, but no luck!

Then we made our way North, watched by some Highland Cattle, the road was hilly in places with very long climbs. We finally arrived at Carbisdale Castle, which stands on the south bank of the Kyle of Sutherland and is the flagship hostel of the SYHA.

The Castle has a large art collection, some Italian marble statues and a pool table! We decided to take Dad/Mike on and…he won.

Thought for the day!

After extensive Nessie searching with no sightings, we must conclude that she has taken a short holiday.

Lands End to John O’Groats Challenge. Day 12
Glencoe to Loch Ness – 72 miles

It was pouring when we woke, so we delayed our start for an hour hoping the rain would pass. When we eventually set off it was relatively clear but soon the heavens opened and for the next 90 minutes we endured driving rain all the way through Fort William and beyond.

A short stop at the Clan Cameron Museum gave us a welcome break from the downpour and we then headed off for a bumpy ride along the cycle track on the north shore of Lock Locky, dodging the potholes to avoid punctures.

Lunch was just north of the The Bridge of Oich before we completed the final hour and arrived at Loch Ness Youth Hostel in good spirits if just a bit damp. As yet no sightings of Nessie but billions of midges – they seemed to take a particular liking to Charlie!

Thought for the day!

We thought people were wearing nets over their heads to hide from Nessie – now we know it was the midges they were afraid of!

Lands End to John O’Groats Challenge. Day 11
Loch Lomond to Glencoe – 65 miles

Wow, an amazing day, probably the best yet!

The sun shone as soon as we set off along the ‘bonnie banks of Loch Lomond’ and as we left the Loch, a lone piper piped us away, watched by a sleepy stag. It was unbelievable, the Scotland of the story books!

As the day wore on, we rode through magnificent scenery lit between showers by shafts of light across the hills and finally descended into Glencoe via a phenomenal drop. The traditional youth hostel was warm and welcoming, we even sampled haggis with neeps & tatties to make our experience complete.

Thought for the day!

An intense experience of Scotland in one very satisfying day!

Lands End to John O’Groats Challenge. Day 10:
Wanlockhead to Loch Lomond – 66 miles

Another difficult day. We set off just after 8.00 am and from the outset we knew the weather was going to be a real challenge. All night, high winds and torrential rain had been buffeting the hostel. By morning, it was no different – the wind was so strong that we were pretty much blown up the last 100 feet to the top of the hill before making the 4 ½ mile descent down the other side.

Our route took us westwards and to the south of Glasgow and then on to our overnight accommodation which was a (supposedly) haunted castle on the banks of Loch Lomond. It had been built as a hunting lodge and had been converted to a hospital for US troops in the Second World War.

Thought for the day!

Hard slog – 5 hours of relentless rain with cross winds.

Lands End to John O’Groats Challenge. Day 9:
Carlise to Wanlockhead – 62 miles

We woke up to blue skies and set off around 8.00 am, stopping briefly to take some photos at Hadrian ’s Wall. As Alex hasn’t been to Scotland before, we also stopped at Gretna Green to see the marriage room on our way to Dumfries.

We stayed off the main roads and wove our way along the back routes taking in some amazing scenery. The day ended with a tough, 6 mile climb up to Wanlockhead – the highest village in Scotland – we climbed 1,500 vertical feet over 6 miles, it was an hour of hard work!

Thought for the day!

When someone tells you there are “just 6 miles to go”, be sure to ask how much higher or lower the destination is than the start point.

Lands End to John O’Groats Challenge. Day 8:
Slaidburn to near Carlisle – 100 miles

The morning started with a massive, lung-busting climb out of the Trough of Bowland – the view was stunning and there was very little on the narrow roads – except the odd sheep.

The weather was OK, although we had sunshine & showers on and off for the rest of the day. At lunchtime we met up with Charlie’s family as Mike, Charlie’s Dad, is going to be our support driver through Scotland to John O’Groats.

This was a really long day – made longer by a number of diversions, including a bridge closure that added 10 miles. At the end of the day, we cycled about 6 miles along the line of Hadrian’s Wall and we stayed in a hostel that is built on the site of an old Roman fort.

Thought for the day!

This was another tough day, we’re half way, we are back climbing hills and we haven’t yet arrived in Scotland!

Lands End to John O’Groats Challenge. Day 7:
Chester to Slaidburn – 100 miles

This has probably been our toughest day yet.

The day started badly - a broken bike lock meant our bikes were firmly attached to the work top in the hostel kitchen and we weren’t going anywhere in a hurry! After Alex’s abortive attempts to break the lock, we were saved by Paul, a local BT Engineer, who attacked the lock with a metre long set of wire cutters – so thank you BT!

After a short, blissful ride through Delamere Forest , we spent most of the day snaking through the villages between Liverpool & Manchester in heavy traffic and intermittent rain.

Finally, we enjoyed another nice patch of countryside near Brindle before a missed right turn – the downhill was too much fun for us to see the waiting Land Rover – caused us to add 10miles to our day along a busy ‘A’ road heavy with rush hour traffic – not recommended!

By the time we reached Whalley, we had had enough - it was raining heavily, the light was beginning to fade and only Boost bars & Red Bull persuaded us to climb back onto the bikes for the last 10 miles to Slaidburn. We finally arrived at 8pm and headed straight to the local pub without stopping to shower on the way!

Thought for the day!

1. Don’t buy bike locks with keys that you can break / lose, or if you must, then buy a metre long set of wire cutters too!

2. If all else fails, Boost bars & Red Bull are the answer

Lands End to John O’Groats Challenge. Day 6:
Clun to Chester – 64 miles

Mum’s/Tina’s birthday. We woke to pouring rain and were not enthusiastic at the thought of spending hours in the saddle getting very wet. However, things turned out better than expected – some quieter roads and very few hills allowed us to ride along chatting & singing – fortunately, there was no one around to hear!

We stopped for lunch in Ellesmere and ensured Mum/Tina had a large slice of Birthday chocolate cake – we even offered to sing (rejected!)

We arrived in Chester about 6pm. Feeling a bit more security conscious in the town than we had been in the country, we chained our bikes to a worktop in the hostel kitchen and spent the evening in Chester, admiring the old timbered houses & enjoying a pizza.

Thought for the day!

Happy Birthday Mum/Tina and thank you for supporting us! It’s probably not every girl’s dream to spend her Birthday driving a Land Rover full of spare wheels, tools and food through the Welsh Borders.

Lands End to John O’Groats Challenge. Day 5:
Welsh Bicknor to Clun – 52 miles

We continued our journey North from Ross-on-Wye through lovely countryside along the Wales / England border. An enjoyable day’s cycling – not too far, not too much traffic, not too many hills and not too much rain!

We stopped for lunch in Leominster, a pretty market town, and then passed through Mortimer’s Cross – site of a famous battle in the Wars of the Roses – before arriving at Clun at around 5pm.

Clun Mill is a lovely hostel with old beams and exposed mill workings, plus it is an easy walk to Clun village to stock up on provisions & find the local pub.

Thought for the day!

This is more like it!

Lands End to John O’Groats Challenge. Day 4:
Cheddar to Welsh Bicknor – 66 miles

Felt pretty good this morning – we are not sure if this is the effect of the curry or the miracle recovery drink – further experiments required.

The riding was quite enjoyable – blue skies and sunshine as we rode up over the Mendip hills past Axbridge and towards Bristol en route to Tockington, where we met up with some friends for lunch in another very nice pub.

After lunch, we headed over the Severn bridge and up into the spectacular Wye valley – passing Tintern Abbey and following the path of the river on our way to the Welsh Bicknor hostel just outside Ross-on-Wye.l If the track down to the hostel was graded using the same criteria as for ski slopes – it would have been a Double Black Diamond! Happy thoughts as we contemplated the return trip back up in the morning!

Thought for the day!

A friend who is a fairly serious triathlete told us that the secret is in managing our food and fluid intake. We’ve certainly got better at eating / drinking little and often and are really feeling the benefit.

Lands End to John O’Groats Challenge. Day 3:
Exeter to Cheddar – 70 miles

The Youth Hostel had to throw us out this morning as we slept in on the promise of a slightly shorter ride. We re-stocked our supplies (Powerade, Jaffa Cakes & water) and set off at about 11am.

The weather was fine and the terrain much less hilly, although some of the recommended ‘quiet back routes’ were so quiet they were overgrown and we were scraped and cut by brambles – we decided to avoid those in future!

Stopped about 2pm at Broadway, near Ilminster, for some lunch but made good time and arrived in Cheddar about 5.30pm. As it’s Saturday, we’re going out for a curry tonight – is this wise?

Thought for the day!

The local cycle shop in Exeter sold us some miracle recovery drink which contains everything we need to replace lost fluid, minerals etc and, it is going to stop our legs aching in the morning – we shall see – review to follow!

Lands End to John O’Groats Challenge. Day 2:
Golant to Exeter – 85 miles

Found it tough to get out of bed this morning. Started out about 9.30am and took a wrong turn immediately setting us back 30mins – not a good idea with 84 miles ahead!

Observed the eclipse from Golant as we set off - through proper eclipse-watchers glasses that two walkers shared with us.

Weather much better today, some sunshine and not so much wind, although we still got soaked by the occasional downpour.

Stopped for lunch about 2.30pm, 10miles north of Plymouth, then enjoyed some exhilarating downhill cruising and great scenery across Dartmoor - although the uphills were still challenging!

The climbs today were much longer (although slightly more spread out) - the toughest yet was the climb up from Moretonhampstead - it really was a case of mind over matter!

Finally arrived at Exeter about 7.30pm, off to find something to eat & another early night

Thought for the day!

Although we were daunted by the distance we needed to cover, better weather, more regular breaks & Jaffa Cakes eased the way.

Lands End to John O’Groats Challenge. Day 1:
Lands End to Golant – 67 miles

Started out from Lands End at 9.30am. A tough start to the journey, with torrential rain, a strong wind and plenty of steep hills that were
challenging for the legs!

Stopped for lunch at about 1.30pm and managed to get our soaking wet kit dried by the landlord of the local pub in Philleigh, near Truro.

Finally arrived at Golant about 5.30pm, were all asleep by 9.30pm !

Thought for the day!

It was tougher than we both expected, just the length & steepness of the hills. The main roads were flatter but the single lane 'B' roads that we are trying to follow tend to just echo the terrain ie hilly!

Lands End to John O’Groats Challenge.

Two Eton pupils will start the epic cycle ride from one end of the UK to the other this week to raise funds to help seriously-ill children.

Alex Richardson, aged 15 and his school friend Charlie Longstaff, also 15, will set out from Lands End in Cornwall on Thursday and they aim to complete the 1,000-mile journey to Scotland’s John O’Groats in 14 days. The pair will be cycling between 52 and 85 miles a day and hope their efforts will raise £3,000 for the Trust, which provides practical support to seriously-ill children and their families.

Alex, from Windlesham, chose to take on the fundraising challenge for Sebastian’s Action Trust because he used to attend Hall Grove School in Bagshot, where the Trust’s founder nine-year-old cancer patient Sebastian Gates was also a pupil.

Alex said: “I chose to raise funds for Sebastian's Action Trust because Sebastian and I were at school together. I feel very fortunate to be healthy and am keen to make those people whose lives are less easy more enjoyable. Sebastian's Action Trust seems to be the ideal way to support families and children who do need some rest and relaxation, despite taxing circumstances. I chose to do the cycle because it is great for fitness, I will get a chance to see the country with a good friend and because I am keen to do whatever I can for Sebastian's Trust. I felt that this sort of challenge would be ideal for me!”

Alex and Charlie’s parents will be taking it in turns throughout the two weeks to drive a support car carrying refreshments, supplies and repair kits.

Alex added: “I have never done anything like this before. I am looking forward to the physical and mental challenge of cycling relentlessly for hours on end. However, raising money for charity is always a great thing to do and the satisfaction of helping people in less fortunate positions than myself is a challenge which really excites me! Anyone wanting to show their support can visit our justgiving webpage www.justgiving.com/lejog2008-sebastiansactiontrust or email info@sebastiansactiontrust.org. Also, crossing fingers for good weather would be greatly appreciated!”

Sarah Clark, fundraising and communications officer for Sebastian’s Action Trust said: “This is a fantastic challenge which Alex and Charlie are taking on and we are delighted they have chosen to raise funds for Sebastian’s Action Trust. We know they have put a lot of hard work into preparing for this event and we are extremely grateful for all their efforts. We wish them well and hope that they really enjoy this once in a lifetime experience.”

Decision of holiday house postponed.

Sebastian's Action Trust will have to wait a few more weeks to learn whether it will be given permission to build a holiday house for seriously ill children in North Waltham.

The Trust had expected the application to go before Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council's Development Control Committee later this month, but the application will now go before a later committee.

It is hoped that a decision could now be made in August.

Decision due on holiday house this July.

Sebastian’s Action Trust will learn if months of hard work in trying to secure a holiday house for seriously ill children will have paid off when Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council’s Development Control Committee meet this July.

The Trust, along with representatives from Bewley Homes, Lochailort Investments and other supporting agents, has been working closely with officers from Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council on plans for a holiday house in North Waltham, since an earlier application for a different site in the village was narrowly rejected by councillors last May.

The current application will be heard by the borough’s Development Control Committee on 23rd July.

In refusing the 2007 planning application councillors urged the Trust to work with their officers to find a site that would meet the strict planning criteria. A two-acre site on Popham Lane has been gifted to the Trust by local landowner Patrick Sweeney, and the Trust has had to prove the “local need” for such a facility to be built outside the village settlement boundary. Every effort has been made to work with the council’s officers to overcome any concerns raised.

The Trust team very much hopes that Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council will approve the pioneering scheme which would be the first its kind in the UK and will help lead the way in improving the support available to families with seriously ill children.

The house, which was the idea of nine-year-old cancer sufferer Sebastian Gates, would offer tailor-made accommodation and leisure facilities to hundreds of children in the Basingstoke area affected by life-threatening illnesses, together with those from the wider region who battle conditions including cancer, Batten’s, Cystic Fibrosis and a range of neurological disorders.

The application is for one building which will house two spacious apartments for families with shared leisure facilities including an indoor pool, spa, games room with home entertainment cinema, music room, library and wet play area. There will also be accommodation for a caretaker within the single building.

Sebastian’s mother and Director of Sebastian's Action Trust, Jane Gates, said: “As the parent of a child who has fought terrible illness I understand how much families need opportunities to spend precious time together, away from hospitals, the endless rounds of treatment and the constant disruptions to family life. I urge Basingstoke council to seize this chance to become pioneers in giving their approval to our scheme, which will offer countless local families the kind of break they need to escape such pressures at a time when their child’s future may seem so uncertain. We are so fortunate to have been offered this amazing site which has been designed to cater for children with medical needs.”

The application has the endorsement of Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital at a time when the Department of Health is encouraging hospital trusts to work with charitable organisations to offer greater support for families exhausted by the ongoing battle of coping with their child’s illness.

Henley Half Marathon

The Trust will be entering a team in Henley Half Marathon for the first time this October and is looking for runners to join the fun.

News that the Windsor Half Marathon, due to be held on Sunday 30th September, was cancelled due to the Foot and Mouth restrictions, was very disappointing , both for our 54 team runners, who had put in hours of training in preparation for the event, but also for the Trust itself. The Windsor event is the Trust’s biggest team event of the year and therefore one of its biggest fundraisers – last year out team raised around £20,000.

With this in mind we were able to secure a number of places for Henley Half Marathon just two weeks later on Sunday 14th October and we are now looking for runners eager to be part of the Trust’s first team to enter this event.

Team runners are asked to raise whatever they can in sponsorship and the Trust will cover the entry fee and supply running shirts.

Anyone interested in entering should contact Sarah at the Trust on 01344 622500 as soon as possible.

Trust launch new logo skyward. Saturday 16th June 2007

Sebastian’s Action Trust quite literally launched its new logo this weekend by releasing a large bunch of balloons bearing the new design into the sky above Bracknell.

The Ascot-based charity was started in January 2004 by the family of nine-year –old Sebastian Gates, to fulfil his dream of establishing a holiday house where seriously ill children could spend time with their families. Sebastian had launched a fundraising campaign for the house shortly before he died of cancer on Christmas Eve 2003.

On Friday (8th June) Sebastian’s mum and Director of the Trust Jane Gates, his sister Rebecca and grandparents Pam and Vic Walters released balloons bearing personal messages for Sebastian.

And on Saturday shoppers and passers-by were invited to help release balloons in the heart of the town which has shown the charity so much support over the past two-and-half years.

The launch was also held to coincide with the Thames Valley Police Rowathon in Princess Square, at which the new branding was used for the first time.

As the charity has developed it has become clear that the logo needs to be used in a variety of ways and in some cases the photograph of Sebastian at the hub does not reproduce well. The new logo was designed for the Trust by Windsor-based advertising agency Langland which has adopted the Trust as their company charity.

With that in mind the Langland team adapted the old design into a new format which could be used in full colour or single colour version, giving the Trust a more durable symbol that allows it to be more consistent.

Jane said: “The logo encapsulates what we are trying to achieve. First and foremost we are about trying to achieve this holiday home – they say a picture paints a thousand words and this does.
“We love the fact that it is interchangeable, that we can use Sebastian’s photograph where appropriate and his being central to it is the charity’s roots - its origin, but we
realise that there are plenty of occasions where it is inappropriate to have his photo on the logo.

“We believe the new logo is as strong and enduring as those of any of the big national charities. So while we are sorry to say goodbye to our red logo, designed by the Bracknell News to launch Sebastian’s fundraising campaign at Christmas 2003, which has served us well, we hope that people will love the new one as much as the Trust team do, and that you will be seeing it around for many years to come.”

Thames Valley Police Rise to Rowing Challenge. Friday 15th June 2007

Link: ITV Local News

Teams of Thames Valley Police staff put themselves through a gruelling 24-hour rowing challenge at the weekend to fundraise to help seriously ill children.

The 27 police officers and civilian staff set out to raise £5,000 for Ascot–based Sebastian’s Action Trust by rowing 435,500 metres, on static rowing machines in Princess Square, which is the equivalent distance from Bracknell to Lands End.

The four teams proved they were more than up to the task, smashing both their distance and fundraising targets to row in excess of 1,306,500 metres and raising more than £5,000 for the Trust.

The challenge was made even more poignant by the fact that one of the rowers had suffered from the same form of cancer which nine-year-old Sebastian Gates battled for two-and-a-half years.

Jane Gates, Director of Sebastian’s Action Trust said: “Personally I was overwhelmed by the fact that one of the participants was a childhood cancer sufferer and I know that Sebastian would have been thrilled to see someone who had successfully battled with Wilms’ Tumour doing so much to help others who continue to live with life-threatening illnesses.”

“There was a great atmosphere and the event gave everyone involved a huge buzz.
“There was real cause for celebration at 6am when we realised the team had reached their second target which the distance from Bracknell to Lands End and back.”

Supt Rob Povey, who came up with the idea for the challenge, said he and his colleagues were spurred on when the going got tough by looking at Sebastian’s photograph. He said: “What made us keep going was the reason we were doing it.”
“I am delighted with the success of the Rowathon. It is always rewarding to run an event like this in the community and we are very proud to have been able to do it for Sebastian’s Action Trust. Early indications are that we have far exceeded our target of £5,000 which makes it all worthwhile.”

The event which was officially opened at 2pm on Friday by Bracknell Town Mayor Cllr Adrienne Jones and finished at 2pm on Saturday, drew a crowd of spectators on both days.

Members of the public were also invited to support the event by taking part in a 2,000 metre challenge to see who could row the distance the fastest – the winner was 34-year-old fireman and father of two Mike Stockton who had come along to support a friend.

Among the guest rowers were Bracknell MP Andrew MacKay, Chief Constable of Thames Valley Police, Sara Thornton, Bracknell Forest Borough Councillor Bob Wade who rowed 20,000 metres, and several representatives from Bracknell Regeneration Partnership.

Helen Barnett of Bracknell Regeneration Partnership who was among the guest rowers said: “BRP is delighted to have been able to support Sebastian's Action Trust by hosting the Thames Valley Police Rowathon at our Princess Square Shopping Centre and providing the T-Shirts and kit to help make this event such a great success.
“The support from the local community and Bracknell residents has been tremendous for this extremely worthy cause.”

The event was also supported by Living Well gym at the Bracknell Hilton, Bracknell Leisure Centre and The Royal County of Berkshire Racquets and Health Club who loaned rowing machines and The Grange Hotel which provided accommodation for the rowers.

Sarah Clark, Fundraising Officer for the Trust added: “It was a fantastic event – the rowers really did themselves proud - even in the middle of the night they were still giving it everything they had got. We are extremely grateful to them all for all their efforts.”

Trust Meets Borough Planners to move forward on Seb’s House. Tuesday 22nd May 2007

Sebastian’s Action Trust representatives have this week met with planning officers from Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council to explore new plans for Sebastian’s House.

The Ascot-based charity is working to establish the purpose-built holiday house for which nine-year-old Sebastian Gates launched a fundraising campaign the week he died - in December 2003. Sebastian had been battling cancer for two-and-a-half-years. The house will give families with a seriously ill child the chance to get away and enjoy some precious time together, free of charge, in tailor-made accommodation and leisure facilities.

Two weeks ago the Trust’s first planning application to build the holiday house in the picturesque Hampshire village of North Waltham was narrowly rejected by Basingstoke and Deane’s Borough Council’s Development Control Committee, due to fears it would have an adverse impact on the landscape and adjacent conservation area, highways concerns and the fact that the site is outside the settlement policy boundary. But council representatives pledged to work with the Trust on finding a way forward.

The landowner who had offered the Trust the site in North Waltham has generously volunteered alternatives and representatives from the Trust along with staff from Bewley Homes, the company which has generously offered to build Sebastian’s House, this week met with planning officers in Basingstoke.

Mrs Gates said: “We had a very encouraging meeting. The council has been true to its word about wanting to work with us and are now helping us to find a solution that meets the Council’s criteria and satisfies the needs of the Trust. It was, I am sure, only the first of many meetings with them.

“The Trust team has always been realistic about this project and knew that, like it or not, we may not be successful with our planning application first time around. We remain however completely committed to achieving our son’s dying wish of building this holiday home for use by other seriously ill children and their families.

“We sincerely hope that our supporters will not feel disheartened and will like us feel more determined than ever to make it happen.”

The Trust is due to meeting with planning officers again in three weeks time.

Library launched in memory of a very special little girl. Thursday 23rd April 2007

Team Members at the Hilton Hotel, Bracknell, have sponsored a mobile hospital library in memory of their colleague’s brave little girl.

The library trolley dedicated to the memory of six-year-old Tayla Jacobs, from Bracknell, will give families with a seriously ill child access to a huge range of books dealing with issues from coping with different aspects of the child’s illness and the inevitable stress that brings, to how other families have coped. The library also offers a range of books for children and teenagers covering appropriate issues.
The mobile library is one of several being researched and collated by Ascot-based charity Sebastian’s Action Trust, in order to improve the resources available to families.

Sadly, Tayla died on December 23rd 2006 following a courageous battle against neuroblastoma – a type of cancer. She and her family had become good friends of Sebastian’s Action Trust.

And on Thursday last week(19th April), staff at the Hotel in Bagshot Road, where Tayla’s father works as the Food Services Manager, presented Sebastian’s Action Trust with a cheque for £1,182 to sponsor the first of the libraries. It will be stationed at the children’s cancer unit at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford, where Tayla underwent much of her treatment. The trolley will feature a plaque in memory of Tayla.

Jane Gates, Director of Sebastian’s Action Trust said: “We are delighted by the Hilton’s support – it is wonderful that Tayla’s father’s employer has seized this opportunity to help other families going through similar situations.
“The mobile library will be a fantastic resource in hospital allowing the parents, the children themselves, siblings and other family members to read about how others have coped and learn of other support services that may be of use to them. We really hope this will be a first step in improving the measures available to families.
“I remember during Sebastian’s illness, I was always desperate to read about how other families coped in such traumatic circumstances – to be able to have that information to hand in hospital will be a tremendous asset.”
The entire Hilton Hotel, Bracknell team undertake fundraising events throughout the year and have raised money through a variety of initiatives, including a sponsored Monopoly Walk around London, and a 7kg Easter egg raffle.
Hilton Bracknell, Hotel Manager Richard Storey said: “Through this donation, we are delighted to be aiding the Trust in its tireless service and aid to those in need, and we are pleased and privileged to be able to offer our support”.
Through the Hilton in the Community Foundation, (the charitable arm of the Hilton hotels in the UK and Ireland), 50% of the money raised each year by the Hilton Bracknell is donated to various charities in the local community and grants are awarded from the central fund across the country, such as St John Ambulance, Whizz-Kidz, Teenage Cancer Trust, ChildLine., Save the Children and more.

For more information contact Sarah Clark at the Trust on 01344 622500.

Plans submitted for Sebastian’s House. Thursday 30th March 2007

Plans for the holiday home which nine-year –old Sebastian Gates dreamt of building for seriously ill children have been submitted to Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council.

The application was submitted on February 20th and the Trust should know whether the scheme has been approved or rejected by the end of May.

Residents of North Waltham, the picturesque village where the Trust hopes to build the holiday house, have been asked to submit their comments of support or objection to the council.

The plans for the holiday house are for the construction of one building housing two, four-bedroom apartments - allowing the holiday house to accommodate two families at any one time.

The house will also feature shared leisure facilities including an indoor swimming pool and spa, a games room, library and sensory room.

Jane Gates, Sebastian’s mum and Trust director said: I’m relieved that we’ve finally got to the stage where we can submit a planning application.

“I desperately hope that Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council will look at what we are trying to achieve and recognise the huge importance that the holiday home will have on supporting the many children who are battling life-limiting illness - including the families of the 85 children who are currently receiving palliative (end of life) care from North Hampshire Hospital.

“The house could also work with the 165 children currently supported by the hospital’s community team – these could be children whose illness is life-threatening and who need continual support.”

The Child Health Services at North Hampshire Hospital support the idea of the holiday house and are looking at ways of working with the Trust.

The holiday house would be the first of its kind in the country, would offer Basingstoke and Dean Borough Council the opportunity to be at the forefront of delivering greatly improved services to families with a seriously ill child, and would also enhance the services offered to families through the NHS and hospice movement.

Anyone wishing to comment on the application can do so by visiting www.basingstoke.gov.uk or by contacting Jane Colley at the council on 01256 845490.

Residents views welcomed. Monday 11th December 2006

Two open meetings will be held in North Waltham this week to discuss the proposed planning application for Sebastian’s House. The meetings, which will be held at North Waltham Primary School on Thursday and Saturday, offer North Waltham residents a chance to find out more about the project, to view the plans, to ask questions and to express their views. The Trust hopes to build Sebastian’s House – a purpose built holiday home for seriously-ill children - on a site in Steventon Lane. If approved, the house will be the first of its kind in this country and will offer families the chance to escape to a quiet purpose built facility away from the gruelling hospital treatments that come to govern the lives of sick children and their families. It will give them time together as a family and the opportunity to enjoy normal family activities such as swimming, which are perhaps not possible in public facilities due to the child’s illness.

Jane Gates, director of the Trust, said:
“We hope that residents will see this as a chance to find out more about this worthwhile project and that as many as possible will attend.”
“We are interested in hearing the views of the local community and we want to work with them. We hope to use the meetings to allay any concerns they may have about our plans and objectives for the future.”

The open meetings will be held on in the music room at North Waltham Primary School on Thursday, December 14, 7.30pm-9.30pm and Saturday, December 16 from 10am-noon. The meeting will move to the school hall should large numbers of people attend.

For more information contact Sebastian’s Action Trust on 01344 622500

End to End Challenge -
(Land's End to John O'Groats Bike Ride). Tuesday 8th August 2006

Two cyclists from Basingstoke rode from one end of the UK to the other in just five days to raise vital funds for the Trust.

Craig Heggie, aged 39 and Chris Hillman, aged 22, arrived in Scotland's John O'Groats on Saturday, August 12 - just 5 days and 11 hours after leaving Lands End in Cornwall.

The cycled for around 11 hours and covered between 155-168 miles each day battling their way up daunting hills and through severe weather conditions in order to complete the grueling 980-mile trip in such an incredible time.

As he crossed the start line Craig told Trust representative Sarah Clark that any pain they experienced would be nothing compared to what children like Sebastian, with life-limiting illnesses go through.

The challenge was not without its set backs however. Julian Snook, who initially came up with the idea of doing the ride and persuaded Craig to join him, was seriously injured during a training ride three weeks before the challenge was to begin. He suffered a fractured a vertebrae, had to have stitches in his chin and had lots of cuts and bruises following the accident on Sunday, July 16. His wife Nicola was due to drive the support vehicle.
Fortunately Chris, a member of Craig's Pedal Power (static cycling) classes at The Sports Centre in Basingstoke stepped in at the last minute to take Julian's place and Liz, a fellow class member, agreed to take over driving the support car.

But despite his injuries and disappointment at not being able to take part Julian and his wife surprised the Chris and Craig but making the journey to Cornwall to wave them off.

We want to congratulate Chris and Craig on their fantastic achievement and thank them for all their hard work on behalf of the Trust.

We wish Julian a very speedy recovery.

Click here to sponsor Chris

Click here to sponsor Craig

Click Here for more photographs from this event.

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Issue08 - Autumn 2008