Ice dreams, 2012 Snowman Spectacular Ball
As the 2012 Snowman Spectacular Ball approaches, Andrew Kay asks Linda Lusardi about her involvement with Chestnut Tree House Children’s Hospic
Chestnut Tree House is the children’s hospice for Sussex and a cause for which Latest 7 magazine has been involved with for several years now. I first went down to see the hospice and to present a cheque a few years ago and was immediately moved to want to do more. It is a quite remarkable place, a beautiful building in a secluded woodland setting close to Arundel. But besides the building and the location there is another sense that immediately strikes you, the sense of calm, of peace and, in a strange way, of happiness.
Caring for children with life-limiting conditions is bound to be emotive. It requires a level of skill and dedication way beyond what most of us can imagine. Their role is not only the care of these children but the care of their families too. Walking through the building I felt two things: admiration for the staff and for the volunteers who make Chestnut Tree House what it is, and admiration for the families and for the children, who, knowing their circumstances, are making the time that they have as good as it can possibly be. Actually, I felt a third emotion, the sense of anger at how little of the money required to make all this possible comes from central Government funding. Over 90 per cent is raised by charitable donations, which is why each year the hospice campaigns vigorously to simply keep the place open.
The Snowman Spectacular Ball is one of their major fundraising events and is hugely popular, always selling out and always raising huge amounts of that much needed money. This year the guest host, playing the Ice Queen is model and actress Linda Lusardi. We caught up with her and asked her how and why she has become involved.
How did you hear about Chestnut Tree House?
“I was invited to play the Ice Queen at The Snowman Spectacular Fundraising Ball in December.”
Have you visited the hospice?
“My husband Sam [actor Sam Kane] and my two children Lucy, 16, and Jack, 12, went down to Chestnut Tree House a couple of months back.”
You have other charity connections and must be asked all the time for help. How difficult is it to decide what you become involved in?
“It is very difficult to decide which charities to support. Every one of them is a worthy cause. Having two healthy children I am always drawn to the charities that provide support to sick children in whichever way they can.”
You have children of your own, have you ever had the worry of them being seriously unwell?
“Thank goodness I have not been in that position and I hope I never will.”
Chestnut Tree House is equally committed to the care of children with life-limiting conditions and the care of their families. Are there things that people can do other than gifting money?
“It costs over £2.5 million per year to provide the hospice’s services. Families are not charged for their care and the hospice receives only eight per cent government funding so it relies almost entirely on the generosity, help and support of the people of Sussex. Although gifts of toys etc. are welcome it is money they really need for medical equipment and to pay the staff and so on. The best thing for people to do is hold fundraising events.”
Before you heard of Chestnut Tree House were you aware of how little funding they get from central and local Government?
“No, I was utterly appalled. They do such an essential job that I couldn’t believe so little money was given to them by the Government.”
The shortfall in funding to keep Chestnut Tree House is quite astonishing, do you have a message for the public that might prompt a change in that situation?
“Locally, I would encourage the community to get involved in helping Chestnut Tree House in any way they can – fundraising, donating, volunteering, visiting the charity’s shops or even just giving £1 a week to play the hospice’s lottery. But it’s not just Chestnut Tree House – hospices all over the UK do not receive adequate funding. Maybe we should have a national lottery each week just for hospices all over the country. I would certainly buy that ticket.”
You have gone from modeling to acting, on both stage and screen, large and small, how do you find time to give to charity work?
“It is quite hard juggling work, children and charity work, and I do have to say no to quite a lot of events which is never easy. I just do what I can when I can.”
You are also a talented photographer, is it very different being on the other side of the camera?
“It was always a hobby of mine and people got to know about it and ask me to do shots for them. I now have my own studio and really enjoy being a photographer. It is very different from being a model in so many ways. It gives you much more room to be creative.”
This year you will appear, once again, in panto with your husband Sam Kane. Is that something that you both look forward to?
“We love it. It is the only time we know we will be together for eight weeks. We are like passing ships sometimes and we miss each other.”
What has been the highlight of your career so far?
“There have been so many. I suppose playing Carrie in Emmerdale for 18 months was a big leap for me as it meant the TV stations were now taking me seriously as an actress.”
Will your connection to Chestnut Tree House be an ongoing one?
“Hopefully. We were really moved and impressed with the work they do down in Sussex and I will spread the word and help with fundraising where I can.”
How much money does the charity hope to raise at this year’s ball?
“Chestnut Tree House raised an incredible £221,600 at last year’s Snowman Spectacular Ball. It’s going to be hard to beat that figure but their work is so important and local support is so strong, that we are hoping that the guests will be as generous as they were last year.”
To find out about ticket availability for the Snowman Spectacular Ball please call 01903 871821
