Anne Diamond and the annual Snowman Spectacular Ball
Diamond edged
As the Chestnut Tree House prepares for its annual Snowman Spectacular Ball, TV and radio presenter, journalist and campaigner Anne Diamond talks about why she is hosting the evening and lending her support
How did you first hear about Chestnut Tree House and its work?
“To be honest, they contacted me, otherwise, living in another part of the country entirely, I would not have heard of them. That’s how good their PR is.”
You’ll be hosting this year’s annual Snowman Spectacular Ball. Was that an easy role for you to accept?
“Once you have heard of the work they do, honestly, it’s a no-brainer. How can you not be moved and motivated to do something to help and support?”
“The atmosphere was one of tremendous quiet, stillness and respect but also of motivation, moving forward and hard work”
You visited the hospice in September. What were your first impressions of it, of the facilities, the staff and the atmosphere?
“I was terribly impressed. I arrived on the morning that one of their children had died. The atmosphere was one of tremendous quiet, stillness and respect but also of motivation, moving forward and hard work, and I guess that’s what a hospice is always about. Respect for the enormity of living with what is bound to be a terminal illness or condition and a purpose for making sense of it all, and finding a way for the families of moving forward.”
The hospice is very much about the children but it is perhaps equally about the support they offer the families of those children. Can you talk about that?
“Absolutely. The hospice is about loving and supporting the children, and of making every minute count. That means fun and new experiences, and finding a way to experience the best of life. Sometimes, for some families, this isn’t just a matter of months, but of many years – with, sadly, the inevitability of ultimate death but after many years. This means those families need help and support to make every year matter – to give every child the chance to live as meaningful a life at 12 or 20 years as at we all hope to live at 80 or 90.
A wonderful woman wrote to me after the death of my own child – saying that, as a Buddhist, she reckoned that my child – only living four and a half months – had lived as meaningful a life as many people who live over 80 years. That really impressed me. Time is only the tyranny of numbers. Perhaps my child, with only four and a half months, lived as full and as great a life as an old, wise man. I like that.”
Perhaps people will have an impression of a children’s hospice being a terribly sad place, but from my own experience of visiting the Chestnut Tree House I know this is far from true. Can you talk about the amazing atmosphere there from your visit?
“It is absolutely not a negative experience. It is about life. Everyone there is alive and meaning to make the most of it – both patients and staff! On the other hand, Chestnut Tree House have people who totally understand death. As someone who has myself experienced the terrible loss of a young child, I understand how our society fails to understand and deal with death – how often the bereaved parent is left flailing in a misunderstood world which only wants to forget or gloss over the angst of losing a much loved child. I was told, so often, to try and forget and ‘have another one’.
“Grief and bereavement is not handled well in our society – hospices like Chestnut Tree House stand out as a beacon for greater understanding. That’s why I’m happy to support them as much as I can.”
The Chestnut Tree House receives a surprisingly small amount of the money it needs to operate from central government funding, less than eight per cent. What are your thoughts on this?
“More is needed. But the guys at Chestnut Tree House have come up with some amazing thoughts – like the sponsor a day.”
By hosting the annual ball you will be able to help raise some of those much needed funds, but are there other ways in which people can help raise that vital cash?
“Yes – the ‘Pay for a Day’. Look at it. It’s affordable.”
You are joining a long list of famous people who have been able to help raise awareness of the hospice’s work and needs. Do you have any personal wishes your involvement this year might achieve?
“I send my very best wishes.”
