Member News

Photo – Guy Ransom, commercial director for Finn Geotherm with Jandré Smuts, Head of Estates at ZSEA in Tropical House. The award-winning Banham Zoological Gardens in Norfolk is celebrating 10 years of keeping inhabitants warm in its Tropical House facility thanks to a renewable heating system installed by experts Finn Geotherm. The system is estimated to have saved around 170 tonnes of C02 during this time when compared to an oil boiler. Set in 50 acres, Banham Zoological Gardens is run by the Zoological Society of East Anglia (ZSEA), a conservation and education charity. Tropical House is its South American inspired paradise, which is home to sloths, butterflies, birds and reptiles in a lush green enclosure with pathways and a waterfall. With the inhabitants used to living in temperatures of 25°C+, it is essential the building remains consistently warm. For the past 10 years, Tropical House has been heated by a Dimplex LA TU 60 commercial air source heat pump specified and installed by Finn Geotherm. The heat pump’s fan unit is located just outside the building and works by taking energy from the air to heat water which is used for Tropical House’s underfloor heating and air distribution units mounted in the ceiling. The system is ideal for this kind of application as the heat pump runs in long cycles to maintain a steady temperature. By installing this renewable energy heating system, ZSEA has been able to efficiently heat Tropical House all year round with a system which uses more than 70% less energy than an oil boiler. At the same time, as providing reduced heating bills, the system is also making a significant impact on reducing carbon emissions, having saved an estimated 170 tonnes of C02 since its installation when compared to an oil boiler – something that is a key part of ZSEA’s environmental strategy. The heat pump installation was awarded a National Energy Efficiency Award in 2013 as an early example of a ground-breaking renewable heating system. A new colourful storyboard has just been erected at Tropical House to explain to visitors how the system works. Jandré Smuts, Head of Estates at ZSEA, said: “The Zoological Society of East Anglia is committed to reducing our environmental impact and continually strive to improve our energy efficiency. The heat pump fits in perfectly with our aims to minimise the consumption of electricity for producing heat and is a step towards reducing our carbon footprint. Finn Geotherm have provided us with an excellent system and great technical support over the last 10 years.” Guy Ransom, commercial director for Finn Geotherm, said: “We are delighted to see that 10 years on, our heat pump installation is continuing to provide the ideal habitat required for Tropical House’s residents, during even the coldest winters. Over the past decade, Banham Zoo has not only made significant savings on its heating bills, but also saved a huge amount of carbon emissions by choosing a clean, green heat pump.” Tropical House also boasts other eco-conscious systems including an irrigation system for the extensive planting provided by roof water collection tanks, triple glazed translucent roofing sheets to provide natural light whilst retaining the heat and an inbuilt thermostatically controlled roof venting system to provide natural cooling during the summer. For more information on ground and air source heat pumps and details on Finn Geotherm, visit www.finn-geotherm.co.uk.

Scorching temperatures, sizzling burgers and great company awaited members of the Norwich Research Park community who joined Anglia Innovation Partnership LLP (AIP) at their community summer barbecue sponsored by Chadwicks and Fortus. The event was held on the grass and terrace area just outside the Centrum building attended by over 200 guests, from businesses and park partner organisations, who joined in the fun with networking, games and great food from the Genuine Dining Company. Roz Bird, the new Chief Executive of Anglian Innovation Partnership commented, “Well done to the whole AIP team, and the catering team at the Centrum building, for organising an excellent first summer barbecue for our Norwich Research Park community. It is so important for us to help the people that work at Norwich Research Park to meet, talk, explore opportunities, and inspire each other with all the amazing science and business activity taking place. Roz continued, “It was a great opportunity for me to introduce myself to lots of members of our community in one go and I am really looking forward to getting to know everyone over the coming weeks and months!” AIP LLP also held a raffle to raise money for the Priscilla Bacon Hospice, and one lucky winner received a luxurious dinner and stay kindly donated by the Park Farm Hotel. Representatives from the hospice charity attended the event to sell cookbooks, and poetry books, and raise money for this great local cause. The AIP team is working on plans for a whole series of Norwich Research Park events for the community to help companies and researchers on the park to network, collaborate and promote what they do. Ensure you don’t miss out on all the park’s news and events by following AIP LLP and Norwich Research Park on social media and subscribe to the AIP LLP newsletter. For further info about up-coming events contact AIP LLP’s Associate Director of Community Development and Services, Alexia Mlynarska. This event was sponsored by Anglia Innovation Partnership LLP, Chadwicks and Fortus. Chadwicks is one of our Park businesses. Chadwicks understand that wealth management is about more than just money. It starts with building strong and successful relationships with their clients. Fortus are business advisors and accountants. With over 40 years of experience and a decade of that as part of a top 20 accountancy firm. Fortus deliver a much wider range of bespoke support and advice.

Her Royal Highness, The Duchess of Cambridge has hailed the “incredible” work of children’s hospices in a personal message of support during this year’s national awareness week. Her Royal Highness is Royal Patron of East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH). She was writing at the start of Children’s Hospice Week, which has been led nationally by Together for Short Lives, the umbrella charity for children’s palliative care. It began yesterday (Monday, 20^th June) and runs until Sunday (26^th June). The theme for this year’s awareness campaign is ‘For The Children’ and The Duchess has asked the public to join her in thanking the 54 children’s hospices across the UK. She wrote: “For any parent, coming to terms with the news your child has a life-threatening condition and may die young is heart-breaking and incredibly frightening. Families can often feel isolated, but having the support of a children’s hospice means they don’t have to face that future alone. “Every day, the UK’s 54 children’s hospices are a vital lifeline for families caring for a seriously ill child, and over the last ten years I have been privileged to see first-hand the incredible work they do. “This year, the theme for Children’s Hospice Week is ‘For the Children’, reminding us all that as well as providing expert care, children’s hospices bring joy, fun and play to brighten each day and help families make the most of their lives together, no matter how short. “This Children’s Hospice Week, I hope you’ll join me in celebrating the extraordinary work they do and thank them for the life-changing care and support they provide to children and families going through the toughest of times.” EACH supports families and cares for children and young people with life-threatening conditions across Cambridgeshire, Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex. The Duchess is celebrating her tenth anniversary supporting EACH, having become Royal Patron in January 2012. In the decade since, she has seen first-hand the support children’s hospices provide to families caring for seriously ill children. Her maiden public speech came when officially opening The Treehouse, in Ipswich, in March 2012. She then cut the ribbon at The Nook, EACH’s hospice in Norfolk, in November 2019. This came after attending the launch of a fundraising appeal in 2014 and visiting its former hospice near Norwich, Quidenham, in 2017. The Duchess also paid a return visit in June 2020, joining families to plant a new patio garden and transform the terrace area at The Nook. She sourced sensory plants and flowers for it ahead of her visit, which came during Children’s Hospice Week. Among many other visits and events, The Duchess has also previously visited Milton and opened EACH’s shop in Holt, Norfolk, in March 2016. Children’s Hospice Week is the only week of the year dedicated to raising awareness of children’s hospice services across the UK. The Duchess has lent her support every year, including very personal written and filmed annual messages of support. EACH Chief Executive Phil Gormley said: “Children’s Hospice Week is a time to celebrate and raise awareness of the incredible work children’s hospices do for children and families facing the unimaginable. “It is an important week for our staff and volunteers, as well as the children, young people and families who need our care, and we very much appreciate and value The Duchess’s support. “In the last decade, she has been a wonderful Royal Patron. Her interest and profile has projected our charity and the importance of children’s hospice services onto the national and international stage and it is appreciated by everyone at EACH. “For all involved, it is a huge privilege, as much now as in January 2012.” Andy Fletcher, CEO for Together for Short Lives, added: “The Duchess of Cambridge, as Royal Patron for EACH, is a fantastic ambassador for seriously ill children, their families and the children’s hospices they rely on. “The Duchess’s support for Children’s Hospice Week over many years has helped raise awareness, so more families understand the lifeline care hospices provide, and all they do to bring joy and fun to families’ lives – giving them the chance to be parents, not carers. We join The Duchess in celebrating the lifeline care children’s hospices provide for families facing the unimaginable. “As The Duchess says, hearing the news your child will die young is heart-breaking. Families often tell us they feel isolated and alone, and just don’t know where to turn to for support. That’s why children’s hospices are so vital. “Everything they do is ‘For The Children,’ helping families make the most of every moment, whether that’s for years, months or only days.” Photo Credits – EACH

We are looking to collaborate with companies and build new partnerships in the Norfolk and Norwich area, so we can support more people on their cancer journey. People like Ann and Bill. Our corporate partners make a crucial contribution to our work at Hope for Tomorrow and enjoy the benefits of an association with us. So, whether you are a small business wanting to support a specific project or a large company looking for a strategic relationship, we can tailor an innovative corporate partnership to match your needs. A relationship with Hope for Tomorrow will benefit your company including your staff, customers and shareholders, whilst ensuring mobile cancer care is delivered to people when they need us most. Together, we can support our communities together. Please find attached our Corporate Brochure, which will give you an idea of ways we can work together. If you have any questions, please contact Kara our Corporate and Community Fundraising Manager on karaframpton@hopefortomorrow.org.uk or 01666 333343. Please join us and help to make a difference to someone’s life in your local community The impact of your support could be huge and effect many lives in Norfolk and Norwich. It costs £212 a day to keep ‘Amara’, your local mobile cancer care unit on the road and could enable up to 20 patients a day, receive their vital cancer care treatment closer to them. Thank you so much.  

This summer sees a unique opportunity to be involved into the world’s first collaborative electric aircraft build project. This is based around the NUNCATS CIC vision of “connecting the world’s remote communities in an affordable, sustainable way using rugged electric aircraft, the Electric Sky Jeep, that is run and maintained by the local community”. It will run from 4th July for 6 weeks, with different teams each week. Each team will be involved in a different stage of the build. It all starts in Norwich, summer school, gaining hands on experience in building this pioneering project. According to Engineering UK, almost half of young people know little or nothing about what engineers do. Furthermore, perceptions of engineering careers are distorted with many viewing them as complicated, difficult and dirty. The Summer School journey starts in our local secondary schools, colleges and specialist education providers, phase 1 of the educational journey, informing and demystifying engineering and manufacturing careers, phase 2 application and preparing for work, an opportunity for young people to submit their CV and attend an interview to secure their place in the summer school. Places will be offered to young people from a variety of socio-economic backgrounds, including those with an EHCP or learning difficulties. giving everyone with an interest in engineering an equal opportunity to benefit from this unique opportunity. These young people will be supported by not only a team of experienced, enthusiastic engineers and instructors but some of the Aviation Engineering degree students. This will all take place in the unique space that is the International Aviation Academy adjacent to Norwich Airport, a local facility dedicated to aviation training. This will allow young people to be exposed to engineering at its best, but also learn about the rapidly developing zero emissions aviation revolution, and how it can save and improve lives in the developing world. While there is a widespread lack of awareness of what engineers do, there is also a shortage of skilled engineers with many job vacancies remaining unfilled, and a distinct lack of practical opportunities to learn engineering disciplines in schools. One of the key themes that was highlighted by employers in the DfE’s Employer Skills Survey 2017 was a shortage of technical and practical skills sought by prospective employers. Without practical experience, many aspiring engineers find themselves excluded from the job market. This project offers hands-on experience and STEM learning opportunities for young people showing an interest and aptitude in engineering, giving them a rare insight into the world of electric travel and green initiatives. By engaging with young people from all walks of life and raising their interest in a career in STEM and engineering, we will pave the way for future engineers and innovators. This is a great way to connect the Social Enterprise: NUNCAT’s and Action Community Enterprises (ACE) CIC, Education: International Aviation Academy, East Coast College, ACE, CCN and UTCN. Also, Saxon Air Charter Ltd and Vattenfall. The Summer School is offered free of charge thanks to the contributions of the above organisations and is open to anyone at all under the age of 25. Year 11/12/13 applications will be prioritised, but it is not restricted to these age groups.

Making the most of the space you have is vital in the hospitality industry. Get it right and you can boost numbers through the door, enhance customer experience and maximise profits. To help you get it right, we’ve put together 5 simple tricks that you can use to make your venue more versatile. 1. Let there be light

Light is key to setting a mood, so adjustable or dimmable lighting is essential for creating a more adaptable space.

During the day, make the most of natural light before transitioning into bright lighting for the afternoon. As the sun sets, dim the lights and opt for warm toned bulbs to generate a cosier atmosphere.

For a more radical transition, such as transforming a cheery café into an edgy bar, think about introducing hidden lighting. Illuminating shelves and the bar, which masquerades as a serving counter during the day, will help to switch up the feel of the room, particularly if you opt for coloured or neon lights.

Candles and fairy lights can also be used in the evening to separate day from night. For winter evenings, you may want to consider lanterns and a real open fire.

2. Be creative with colour

The colour of a room can set a mood, but what if you want that mood to change? One solution is to choose colours that work well together while also changing with the light.

For instance, bright pops of colour look great when offset by darker walls – no matter what time of day it is. During the day, some soft furnishings in sunshine yellow will be picked up by the natural light, brightening up a darker wall of blue or purple. But when it comes to night, the darker colour of the walls will help to create a more intimate atmosphere, particularly when combined with soft, warm lighting.

3. Use soft furnishings

Curtains and rugs can really change the way a space feels. Rugs with chairs gathered round them can create intimate spaces in a large room while curtains can be pulled to instantly make a room feel more secluded.

You should also think about how you can use lighting and fabric to alter your hospitality space. You can create a dramatic effect for evening events by hanging fabric from the ceiling, which can then be lit up in different colours to form an interesting backdrop. Fabric can also be draped over existing furniture, such as seating, to change a dining chair into something worthy of a wedding feast.

4. Rearrange your furniture

No-one wants to move all their furniture every evening, but being able to clear a few tables from the centre of a café to create a dance floor can be useful.

Alternatively, furniture can be used to make more intimate spaces in a larger room. To transform your large events space into something suitable for daytime meet-ups, position cosy armchairs and sofas in little groups. This helps to create ‘nooks’ within the room that will make your customers feel more comfortable.

Think about the type of furniture you need too. If your cafe morphs into a bar at night, add some seating at the counter, in addition to some comfortable armchairs to make it more flexible.

5. Divide the room

Rather than moving your furniture, you could move the rooms themselves. This is easily possible with the use of room dividers. These could be opaque or solid and can help you to transform the dimensions of the room to suit the occasion.

There are a huge number of designs to choose from. You could fit ceiling to floor blinds that you can open and close, install movable panels, add wooden or glass screens, or introduce curtains that you can draw to section off an area for a snug feel.

Want to make your hospitality space more flexible?

Our talented team would be happy to discuss your needs and the solutions available.

Simply call 01223 952992 or email info@layrddesign.co.uk

Plants are not just nice to look at. They can also boost wellbeing and productivity. To find out more about the benefits of bringing nature indoors, we spoke to Ruscha Fields, founder of The Good Plant Company and one of our innovative collaborators.

As employers attempt to coax workers back into the workplace, supporting employee well-being and comfort has never been more important.

One way to promote this is to strategically introduce greenery into business environments. Known as ‘biophilic design’, this discipline aims to boost workers’ moods and enhance productivity by strengthening connection to nature.

A passionate advocate of biophilic design is Ruscha Fields, the founder of The Good Plant Company and one of our collaborators. We sat down to talk with her to find out more.

What exactly is meant by biophilic design?

Biophilic design is all about enhancing and embracing our innate connection with nature. It focuses on bringing natural elements into typically unnatural environments, such as offices. It incorporates different aspects of nature into the workplace to make you feel relaxed and grounded.

Why has this type of design become more important?

In the past there was a trend for very minimal, stark and clinical workplaces. But we’ve all found that these spaces are not good for our creativity or mental health. This has become especially important in the post-pandemic period as many of us have grown used to the comfort of working from our own homes. Employers are therefore now working to replicate this feeling in the workplace.

What are the best plants to use in a commercial space?

Tropical plants survive really well indoors. You can’t really use English plants and trees because they depend on British weather conditions to thrive.

In areas with good natural light, you can opt for plants from the Ficus (fig) family, for instance the Ficus Lyrata (Fiddle Leaf Fig) and Ficus Elastica (Rubber Plant). Strelitzia (Bird of Paradise) are also beautiful additions. If there is less natural light, you can try Dracaena (Dragon Plant), Kentia Palms or Zamioculcus Zamifolia (ZZ Plant).

Places such as meeting rooms can be more complicated as they may not be in use much and the lack of light can be difficult for plants. In these cases we use high-quality silk replica plants or introduce natural substances, such as wood, or moss pictures to the room.

Can you give an example of a project The Good Plant Company has worked on recently?

We recently worked with Layrd Design to add biophilic elements into an office space. We chose some succulents and Aglaonema (Chinese evergreens), which were placed in either concrete pots or teal-coloured ones on side units and windowsills. We also used some big-leafed Monstera (Swiss Cheese Plant) and Philodendron (Sweetheart Plant) in pots on metal stands to add some lush greenery at eye level.

Do you think biophilic design will be a long-lasting trend?

Yes, I do. The new comprehension of the importance of well-being is not going to go away. Employers now understand that this is one way that they can positively invest in their employees’ well-being and people are now more understanding about wanting to incorporate things into your life that make you feel good. Biophilic design is therefore here to stay.

Let Layrd Design and The Good Plant Company transform your space

To turn your corporate space into an urban jungle and incorporate biophilic design into your workplace, get in touch today. You can call the Layrd team on 01223 952992 or speak to The Good Plant Company on 01223 750200.

Hydrogen is set to play a key part in the government’s policies for delivering Net Zero by 2050. The East of England is taking a central role through a first-of-its-kind hydrogen cluster centred on core electrolyser projects, say hydrogen experts Hydrogen East as they unveil their vision for what it may look like. Norfolk and Suffolk in particular, say the body, can make a significant contribution in bringing clean hydrogen’s potential to the surface, supporting the Hydrogen Strategy laid out in the Energy Security Strategy earlier this year. The east is a forerunner in the race to net zero, with its hydrogen capabilities already being spoken about in Westminster. Peter Aldous, MP for Waveney, delivered a speech on the “The Future Hydrogen Economy” as part of a debate in the Houses of Parliament on 14th June and then went on to say: “Whilst I understand the rationale behind the Government’s cluster-driven approach to the hydrogen economy, the regulatory framework must be sufficiently flexible to ensure that smaller scale projects in decentralised areas like the East of England are able to realise their full potential. In East Anglia we have a real opportunity to be a major producer, user and exporter of hydrogen. We have an abundance of resources, infrastructure—both on land and at sea—that can be readily retrofitted, and developers keen to step up to the plate, provided that the right policies are in place. That way, we can not only more readily realise our decarbonisation goals but create new and exciting jobs for local people”. The region aspires to become the UK’s Clean Growth Region, as originally outlined in the Local Industrial Strategy. Energy giants, including ScottishPower Renewables and Vattenfall, have already received the go ahead for projects in the offshore wind sector as well as new nuclear being developed by EDF at Sizewell C. All projects are set to bring a magnitude of opportunities, investment, and further energy integration to the region. Hydrogen East look to lead the development of a clean hydrogen cluster in the East of England, strengthening the foundation of an attractive region that is primed and ready for the development of diverse hydrogen projects. Initially, the proposal outlines six “core” electrolyser sites across Norfolk and Suffolk, paving the way for development and improved infrastructure to be implemented and then further scaled as the demand for clean hydrogen grows. Nigel Cornwall, Director for Hydrogen East, said: “Hydrogen is such a versatile element and, with the ability to be deployed across a variety of sectors, we should be looking to it as a powerful tool that can aid us in the transition to Net Zero.” “It should be considered as a complement to electrification and increased roll-out of renewable generation. Already, a number of demonstrator projects are on-going around the country testing hydrogen for heat, power and transport in regions such as Aberdeen and Teesside.” “Here in the east, we need to establish our hydrogen pathway in a way that aligns with its distinct characteristics, including pathways into nuclear power, offshore wind and major energy hubs like Bacton,” he concluded. Andy Holyland, General Manager for Hydrogen East, explains, “the East of England has always been a key contributor in delivering the nation’s energy requirements and the integration of hydrogen will only further bolster this position, providing energy flexibility and security. Discussing what a proactive hydrogen cluster in the east could deliver: “Through analysis of local assets and data and continued engagement with local stakeholders, a cluster could identify opportunities whereby concept designs illustrating viability can be produced. Supply and demand could be balanced and add real value. In addition, projects will be de-risked through the establishment of multi-stakeholder collaboration, engineering studies and demonstration projects. Cluster commitments and guidance would support further research, developing business models, raising investment and sourcing appropriate funding. Through the clean hydrogen cluster, the hydrogen economy could be scaled and grown over time to maximise potential and build bespoke energy networks.” “Through the development of a hydrogen cluster, we can create touchpoints with a variety of different sectors, supply-chains, and organisation types, ensuring the East of England leads the way and doesn’t accept the prospect of being an adopter of second or third generation technology and assets” he said. Hydrogen East would like to invite anyone interested in joining a consortium to contact us and explore how our vision for the East of England can align with your organisation With the promise of hydrogen in the region, Hydrogen East’s team is growing rapidly and are on the lookout experienced analysts and project managers to join their growing team as the sector gains momentum. For more information, please visit https://hydrogeneast.uk/. Contact Andy Holyland on andy.holyland@netzeroeast.uk

Residents in Norwich and Great Yarmouth are set to benefit from three new schemes proposed as part of the council’s latest funding award from central government for active travel improvements across the region. The Government’s new executive agency Active Travel England, led by Chris Boardman, will oversee the delivery of 134 first-rate schemes, backed by £161 million, which include new footways, cycle lanes and pedestrian crossings across 46 local authorities outside London.  The projects will create new routes and improve existing ones, making it easier and cheaper for people to choose active and green ways of getting around while better connecting communities. Norfolk County Council was awarded £955,000 by the Department for Transport to deliver three schemes in the County and following a review of initial proposals by Active Travel England, the council has today confirmed the areas set to receive the funding are Mile Cross Road in Norwich and two schemes in the borough of Great Yarmouth on Jellicoe Road and Middletons Road, Gorleston. Councillor Lana Hempsall, Norfolk County Council’s member champion for sustainable transport said: “I’m delighted Active Travel England have approved our initial proposals and we will now work closely with them in partnership to develop some draft designs before consulting each local community. “All of our Active Travel programme supports our goals as a council to reduce congestion on our roads and tackle the effects of climate change through improved access to alternative means of travel.” All three schemes include the provision of new mandatory cycle lanes, as well as improvements to crossings and junctions for those travelling on foot. Councillor Graham Carpenter, representing Yarmouth North and Central said: “This scheme is a very positive outcome for the residents of Great Yarmouth. The Ward Councillors and myself are delighted to hear this news which will be of huge benefit to local people and more widely the benefit of the Borough in general”.

There is a national rail strike taking place on Tuesday 21st, Thursday 23rd, and Saturday 25th June. Our service will be heavily reduced on lines into London Liverpool Street, with the first trains leaving at 7.30am and the last trains finishing their journeys by 6.30pm. There will be no services at all on any of our regional and branch lines. We’re advising customers to only travel if it’s absolutely necessary, expect severe disruption, plan ahead and make alternative travel arrangements if you can. There will also be some disruption on the days before and after strike days, on Monday 20, Wednesday 22, Friday 24 and Sunday 26 June, so please check before you travel on these days before setting off. We’re very sorry for the inconvenience this causes. You can find further information and updates on our website.

A dad whose baby daughter died after just six weeks says he and his wife will always be grateful for the “incredible” support they received from East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH). James Harrowven, from Norwich, was speaking during Children’s Hospice Week – a national week of awareness that starts today and runs until Sunday (20^th to 26^th June). Little Chloe had an extremely rare, genetic condition called Zellweger’s Syndrome and spent the final week of her life at The Nook, in Framingham Earl. She died on 13^th September 2021. James, 32, says he and wife Michelle will forever be grateful for the support they received from EACH. “Chloe was born on 2^nd August and what happened in the next six weeks changed our lives forever,” he said. “She needed 100% ventilation and started having seizures. After a week on the neonatal intensive care ward, she was diagnosed with a rare genetic condition called Zellweger’s Syndrome. “The last diagnosed case in the hospital was over ten years ago. “We quickly went from proud, excited new parents to new parents with a very ill, special needs child to then grieving the loss of our second child. “It was like nothing we could ever have imagined but we feel so fortunate that the final week of Chloe’s life was spent with the incredible team at EACH. “I admit I didn’t know much about the charity when we offered the chance to go to The Nook. “However, I can safely say the support we received was amazing.” Zellweger’s Syndrome is a peroxisomal disorder involving the creation and function of peroxisomes, which are needed for the body to function properly. Peroxisomes are part of a cell impacting every system in the body, including breaking down fatty acids and producing lipids that are vital to the nervous system, digestion and the brain. James and Michelle were initially told their daughter could live for a year, although the majority do not make it past six months. “We didn’t know what the future held and were getting ready to go home from hospital,” said James. “Then we were given the option of stepdown care, at The Nook. “It was basically a way of bridging the gap between the hospital and home and felt like the right thing to do. “Alfie (who has just turned three) also got to meet his little sister during that time. “After a few days there we were preparing to go home when Chloe deteriorated. “Things went rapidly downhill but had that happened at home it would have been so much worse. “We were in the right place, in terms of help and support, and, in that respect, it was the best decision we made.” James says the support he and wife received took much of the pressure off their shoulders. “We couldn’t have got through those last few days without having that support around us,” he added. “It was beyond anything we could ever have wished for. “Although Chloe didn’t make it home, we’re so happy she got to spend her final days with us both by her side. “It took the weight off our shoulders and the care team were absolutely fantastic. “They couldn’t do enough for us. They gave us time and space, leaving us to come to terms with everything that was happening. “Equally, we knew they were right there if we needed them so we never felt alone. “They cooked us meals and looked after us, which meant the world and made such a difference. It was incredible and we want to show our thanks.” The theme for this week is #ForTheChildren – showing how important each individual child is to the expert care children’s hospices provide. Photo of Chloe Harrowven

Fundraising friends are preparing to scale the heights for charity. Adventurous Kelly Williams, who lives in Long Stratton, and Louise Wiseman, from Harleston, have signed up for the Peak District Ultra Challenge. What started as a discussion about completing a 10km inflatable fun run in Norwich led to the pair signing up for the monster event, which takes place in July and involves walking throughout the night, continuously for an eye-watering 100km (62 miles). The only time they will stop is for food, water and comfort breaks and the pair are raising funds for East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH) and Cancer Research UK. Kelly, 40, and Louise, 30, have known each other for 18 months and are colleagues at Susan Whymark Funeral Service Ltd, in Harleston. Kelly said: “It’s going to be tough but we’re both excited and looking forward to it. “We’ve been doing various training walks in the local area, ranging from 15 to 22 miles so far, and visited Derbyshire for a hill training walk earlier in June. “We’re not under any illusions and know it’s going to be a challenge, both physically and mentally. “Walking in the early hours of the morning, when it’s dark and eerily quiet, will be bizarre. “However, we’ll have each other and will meet lots of other people. We’ll buddy up and those conversations will keep us going. “It’s definitely going to be a case of mind over matter and we hope to raise as much as possible for our charities, including EACH. “EACH is a local charity close to everyone’s hearts and makes the world of difference at a difficult time in people’s lives. “Anything that supports them and puts smiles on faces has to be worth raising money for. “Due to working in the funeral industry, we meet lots of families at hard and emotional times in their lives, who need the support provided by many charities. “So, by taking on this challenge, it’s our time to say ‘thank you’ for all the work they do.” The Peak District Ultra Challenge is being held in the National Park on 9^th and 10^th July, with the base camp being in Bakewell. More than 2,000 adventurers are taking part and while there are different options available, the full 100km challenge follows a tough figure-of-eight route through deepest Derbyshire. Kelly and Louise are no strangers to supporting EACH, which supports families and cares for children and young people with life-threatening conditions across Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire and Essex. They previously organised a children’s fun day several years ago, to support The Nook fundraising appeal, raising £1,000. This time they wanted to beat their previous total and, over the last six months, the pair have organised several community events, including a Stars in their Eyes-style show at The Queens Head, in Long Stratton, and an Easter family fun day at Netherton Steakhouse, also in Long Stratton. In addition, they organised a book sale outside the Susan Whymark Funeral Service Ltd office in Harleston, which helped bring their current fundraising total to just over £2,800. It will be split between the two charities. “We love doing crazy things and, while there’s a bit of anxiety, we’re mainly excited about the challenge,” said Louise. “I like pushing myself to do things out of my comfort zone and feel passionately about supporting these charities. “They do so much for families we care for and it’s rewarding for us to be able to give something back to help make a difference.” To make a donation, head here. Photos of Kelly Williams (left) and Louise Wiseman (right).