Son’s death inspires Littlehampton mum’s hospice walk

And it was a horror that devastated Littlehampton mum, Julie Stevens, had to live through after her beloved son Brennan was diagnosed with an inoperable, terminal brain tumour, last June.

Tragically Brennan, seven, died in February despite his best efforts to survive, leaving his parents and young sister, Mia, heartbroken.

Julie, of Barque Close, said: “It was absolutely heartbreaking to see. We were devastated.

“There’s nothing that can prepare you for anything like that. It left a massive void in our family.”

And on Saturday (May 18), Julie and a group of 14 family members and friends took part in the Chestnut Tree House children’s hospice’s Night to Remember Midnight Walk, in Eastbourne, in memory of her son.

Brennan, who was a pupil at Summerlea Primary School, in Rustington, was supported by nurses from the hospice who Julie said did an “incredible job” in helping him throughout his illness.

She said: “He was a bright and brilliant little boy. Right up until the last week he was so active.

“At first we felt that we could care for Brennan alone. We had terrific support from all the mums and teachers in his school and class and our family were brilliant. But as he got more sick, we needed extra help.

“The support from Chestnut Tree House was amazing, really it was. The last three weeks he was cared for by the nurses really helped.”

The team walked a total of 10 miles along Eastbourne’s streets and seafront, together with hundreds of others in the women-only event.

So far, the group has managed to raise almost £2,000 for Chestnut Tree House and is appealing for more sponsors to donate to the total

“We would love to raise as much as we can, so anything people can do to help will mean a lot,” added Julie.

To donate, see here.