A Day of Adventure, Courage and joy with the Emily Ash Trust at lodge hill centre
Recently, the Lucas family had the privilege of volunteering at a family activity day hosted by the Emily Ash Trust at the Lodge Hill Centre. The day brought together children living with, or recovering from, cancer, along with their families, for a much-needed day of fun, adventure and togetherness.
The Lodge Hill Centre was the perfect setting, offering activities including pedal karts, adapted bikes, climbing, zip lines, tubing and outdoor challenges. It was wonderful to see children building confidence, trying new experiences and, most importantly, simply enjoying the chance to be children.
“For us, this day was about so much more than volunteering.
Having our own personal experience of supporting a child diagnosed with cancer we understand the emotional, practical and often overwhelming journey that families face. That shared understanding allowed us to offer not only practical support throughout the day, but also a listening ear, encouragement and reassurance to parents who know they’re not alone.”
The Emily Ash Trust continues to do incredible work, creating opportunities for families to make treasured memories away from hospitals, appointments and treatment schedules. These events provide respite, connection and a reminder that no family has to face childhood cancer alone.
A huge thank you to everyone in the team at the Lodge Hill Centre for organising such a fantastic day. It was an honour to be involved, and we feel incredibly grateful to have spent the day alongside such brave children, inspiring families and dedicated volunteers.
As you can see from the pictures above, there were plenty of happy faces from everyone who attended. It is moments like these that make what we do as a charity so special. Seeing the families and volunteers enjoying such a wonderful day makes all the hard work worthwhile.
However, none of this would be possible without the continued support of the people who raise funds and stand behind our charity. Your generosity and dedication help us create these special memories, and for that we are truly grateful. Together, you are an important part of our little family.
Sunday 12th April 2026
Fundraising pledge £350
The Brighton Marathon is a unique event which brings out the best of Brighton and celebrates its vibrant communities.
PLACES ALREADY FILLED FOR 2026
We have been lucky enough to become one of the chosen charities for Anglo Doorstep Collections. The Emily Ash Trust is the chosen charity for NRT who has partnered with Anglo Doorstep Collections who are a UK based company that make regular, free, collections of unwanted clothing and household items, direct from their customers’ homes. This service is available to NRT staff, family, friends and the Emily Ash Trust family and friends to use.
You can plan your donation in the most hassle-free way possible. Once you have made your booking you simply put your items into boxes or bags and leave them outside your home at the allotted time and date. The items collected are sold in other countries where they are needed most. They are not recycled, they are rehoused. The money raised from the sale of these items, minus Anglo Doorstep Collections costs, is then donated to charity. Typically, this equates to around 60% of the money raised. Since 2021, to date (Feb24) they have donated over £353,775 to charity.
There are many reasons why to use Anglo Doorstep Collections as well as supporting the Emily Ash Trust:
The link to use this collection service is https://anglodoorstepcollections.co.uk/nrt/
On here you will find a list of clothing & household items that they will collect as well as items they are unable to collect.
Payroll Giving is one of the most cost-effective ways to donate. It's simple to join and tax-free, meaning that it costs you less to give more! For example, if you make a donation of £10 a month, only £8 will come out of your salary and the taxman pays the difference! With Payroll Giving you can start, stop or amend your donations at any time and you can support multiple causes.
Registration only takes a few minutes using the trusted payroll giving website:
Easyfundraising partners with over 7,000 brands who will donate part of what you spend to the cause of your choice. Brands pay Easyfundraising commission because when you start your shop from their website or app, they can see we sent you to them. If you make a purchase, a commission is generated, and we turn that into a donation – magic!
Please be assured that Easyfundraising does not add any cost to your online shopping. The brand covers the cost of the donation meaning it is 100% free to use.
The use the following link to sign up to EasyFundRaising which will also earn EAT a £5 bonus donation once you raise £5
Various Locations around UK - Cost from £399.00
A wing walking experience is one of life's greatest aerial adventures. You can walk the wing at specially certified venues across the UK, so get ready to amaze your friends and family putting on your very own in-flight show on the wing, under the guidance of professional air-display teams.
Cost from £92
Prepare for a truly unique and exhilarating experience on The Little Zipper & The Big Zipper! Velocity is the fastest zip line in the world since 2013! Soar over Penrhyn Quarry, where you can travel at speeds of up to and over 100mph down 1.5 kilometres of zip line while taking in the unbeatable views of Eryri (Snowdonia).
London – Battersea Park (West London)
Looking for Adrenaline-Pumping Adventure Activity in London then experience the ultimate, a bungee jump! 3-2-1 BUNGEE! These are the last words you will hear before launching yourself from a 160ft platform. If that is not enough and you want more then add an amazing disorientating jump with the Backwards Bungee!
160ft Bungee Jump from £99.00pp
160ft Forward and then Backward Bungee Jump from £150.00pp
160ft Tandem Bungee Jump from £175.00pp
Various locations around UK
Cost From £34.00
The world’s largest and best inflatable 5k obstacle run. Get ready to experience the most exhilarating and unforgettable experience of the year! The Inflatable 5k is back, and it’s going to be bigger, bouncier and better than ever! Our Unique Inflatable Obstacle Course Race (OCR) has even more obstacles and locations in 2024, it’s going to be epic!
Various challenges around the UK
Cost varies from £39 10km up to £198 Full Challenge
Walk, Jog, or Run the best of Britain and put yourself further! With ‘continuous’ full 100km challenges or a 2 day ‘Daylight’ 100km option with camping at half way, a new 75km ‘3/4’ choice, testing 50km half & 25km quarter distance options, a couple of engaging off-road marathons, and a few 10k ‘taster’ events – there is an Ultra Challenge for everyone!
14th November 2026
Ballot Open
Come and join the UK’s biggest Theme Park, Alton Towers, for the 5k, 10k & Half Marathon events around the park. Starting and finishing within Alton Towers Theme Park this is an event for the entire family which is open to all abilities. Earn yourself a unique themed medal before enjoying the incredible rides at the park. *FREE ride access after the race is included in your entry!
Sunday 11th October 2026
Awaiting Ballot Opening
The first and only half marathon through the centre of London. The stunning 13.1 mile route takes in many of the capital’s world-famous landmarks on closed roads, and four of the London’s eight Royal Parks – Hyde Park, The Green Park, St. James’s Park and Kensington Gardens.
13th September 2026
Ballot open until midnight Sunday 11th January 2026
The AJ Bell Great North Run is the world’s biggest and best half marathon, with 60,000 runners taking on the 13.1-mile route from Newcastle to South Shields each year. It’s famous for its inclusive atmosphere, unbeatable on-route entertainment, and warm Geordie welcome, not to mention the millions raised each year for worthy causes. From the rush of thousands of cheering spectators to the oggy-oggy-oggy chants, Great North Run magic can be hard to understand – until you’ve experienced it for yourself.
Sunday 14th March 2026
Cost: £45 per person
The only half marathon to to be held at this famous and historic royal home. Hampton Court Palace is on of the only two surviving palaces that King Henry VIII owned. The race will start inside the gates of Hampton Cour Palace and finish in its beautiful gardens. After you’ve finished your race you can visit the famous maze and the world’s largest grape vine.
Fundraising Pledge: 10,000ft £395 or 15,000ft £495
In partnership with GoSkyDive, our Tandem Skydive is not for the faint-hearted!
The excitement builds as the plane takes you up to 10,000ft before an unbeatable adrenaline rush as you freefall for 30 seconds, followed by a magical 5-minute parachute ride across the Salisbury Plains where the awesome view include sites of prehistoric interest. If you wish, for the ultimate tandem skydive and a freefall of almost a full minute you can experience the highest possible tandem jump altitude in the UK of 15,000ft. All you need to do to take the plunge is to sign up and pay a £50 deposit to secure your place. The Emily Ash Trust covers the cost of the Tandem Skydive from 10,000ft or 15,000ft.
Please contact info@emilyashtrust.co.uk for more information.
Saturday 19th September 2026
Places available:
3 x 1-mile Swim Serpentine places
6 x 2-mile Swim Serpentine places
A one-day open water swimming event staged in the iconic setting of the Serpentine Lake in Hyde Park, which was the venue for the Marathon Swimming competition at the London 2012 Olympic Games. This event also counts as part of the incredible 'London Classics' challenge, alongside the London Marathon and the RideLondon-Essex 100.
There are four distance options to choose from (Half mile, One mile, Two mile, making this the perfect event for an enjoyable and memorable open water swim.
Please contact info@emilyashtrust.co.uk if you would like more information.
Cancelled for 2025, details for 2026 to follow.
Saturday 7th March 2026 - Winter Nuts Challenge
30th May 2026 - Nuts Colour Run Challenge
29th August 2026 - Summer Nuts Run Challenge
Go Nuts at The Nuts Challenge, the heart-pounding 7-14k assault course set near Dorking in the beautiful Surrey countryside! Unlike others, their course is permanent and set up all year round making the best use of the natural terrain plus their unique Nuts obstacles.
For more information contact us: info@emilyashtrust.co.uk
Date: 26th April 2026
The London Marathon first took place in 1981 and has become one of the most popular marathons in the world. The route takes in many of London’s best landmarks including Buckingham Palace, The Cutty Sark, Tower Bridge and Canary Wharf. This iconic race has to be on every runner’s bucket list.
If you have a ballot space and would like to run on behalf on the Emily Ash Trust please contact us: info@emilyashtrust.co.uk
PLACES ALREADY FILLED FOR 2026
Saturday 10th October
East Sussex National Hotel and Spa
Little Horsted, Uckfield, East Sussex, TN22 5ES
Ticket Cost £85pp
Reception Drinks from 6pm/6.30pm in the main reception
Dinner 7pm - Carriages 1.30am
Dress Code : Ladies – cocktails dress Gentlemen - Black Tie.
For more information contact us: info@emilyashtrust.co.uk
I grew up knowing Emily Ash and her family, which is how I first became affected by cancer. Witnessing such a gruelling treatment plan and seeing first hand the effects this has not only on a child but the family unit as a whole is terrifying. It was from this one change in our lives, with one little girl’s fight that the Emily Ash Trust was born.
Whilst Emily’s story is one of happiness and success, not every child we have met along the way has been so lucky. The work the trust does touches on the here and now, the social element of human interaction and the need for support, help and comfort to those who are going through the scariest times in their lives.
I think my part in the Trust is small in comparison to some of my fellow committee members, but my professional skills in graphic design and marketing have meant that all the Trust’s design and marketing needs have been met by myself.
I have also been involved in some of the largest fundraising challenges and in the past 5 years alone I have kayaked the Amazon river, cycled across Asia and climbed Mount Everest to raise money so that the Trust’s fantastic work can continue.
I have been working with the Emily Ash Trust for several years now. I first became aware of the charity when I was 16 when I worked with Emily’s mum.
I knew from first hearing about the EAT that they were a great charity and I wanted to help so I started by raising money by completing the London to Brighton bike ride, London triathlon and the London marathon.
After doing these events I wanted to help more and be more involved with the charity so I joined the committee and have never looked back.
I have found in the years since, that sometimes by doing even the smallest of things you can make such a difference to someone’s day.
Seeing a child or family going through their journey, smiling and enjoying what the Trust does makes me very proud to be part of the EAT family.
I first met Sue May (committee member) when our sons played football together. We got chatting about The Emily Ash Trust and all the fantastic work it did and continues to do and I really wanted to become involved.
In 2006 I became a committee member, and I have had an amazing 11 years. I have met so many inspirational people along the way, I am truly honoured.
We fundraise all year round and we have so many people that fundraise for us. This enables the Trust to provide holidays for families, treats for patients, personal shopping experiences for patients and SO much more.
As an extra bonus – as if I needed one – I’m part of a friendly, supportive team which I am so proud of.
Paul was introduced to the Trust through friendship of the Rolfe family and was also inspired by the loss of children within his own family and amongst his friends families.
Paul has spent 30 years in the electrical industry and is married with two children. Paul is also a Freeman of London, as well as a committee member at Warlingham Football Club.
I had the honour of being asked to be part of the team just last year in 2023 and instantly agreed. It’s a true privilege to be involved and be able to give back.
I first met some of the team at a pamper night at the Marsden in 2015 after being there with my son who was an inpatient with Leukaemia. The warmth and kindness we was offered from that first meeting gave us hope and joy and the trust has supported us as a whole family in many ways through our journey with our son.
I know first hand what these families are going through and I’m able to offer support, empathy and compassion. Working with the trust we are able to bring some light and happiness to the families when they need it the most.
I’ve recently joined the team in 2023 but have been supported by the Emily Ash Trust since 2015 when my son was diagnosed with Leukaemia
My family and I have been to many events run by the trust and they truly welcome you in as if your are part of their family, it’s a privilege to now be able to offer this to others.
Cancer takes so much from families but the Emily Ash Trust can bring sunshine to some really dark days. I’m now in a position to be able to assist in bringing that sunshine alongside the trust.
My journey with The Emily Ash Trust started 15 years ago, supporting my husband as he took on various fundraising events with them. I got involved myself and got muddy, ran a marathon and even jumped out of a plane, all things completely out of my comfort zone ! I quickly felt the love and compassion, and saw the importance of the work of the trust and began volunteering. I have been co ordinating pamper evenings for the past 6 years, and 4 years ago officially joined the committee and took on the role of social media co ordinator.
I feel so privileged and proud to be part of The Emily Ash Trust whether it’s on my knees doing pedicures, cleaning football stadium toilets, behind a computer screen editing videos or doing something very silly to raise a few £ !
I have been involved with The Emily Ash Trust since the beginning. Emily is a close family friend and when she was diagnosed at the age of 5 it was her inspiration that encouraged me to volunteer for this wonderful charity. I felt I had strengths from my professional life to bring to the table to help build a good platform for a charity to grow.
At first it was a learning curve, finding out about how a charity should run, understanding first-hand what would benefit the children and the families exposed to this terrible illness. Showing others how they too could make a difference sharing the load, bringing a sparkle into someone’s difficult day.
Every time I see a child smile or a mother’s tear, every time I see the gratitude in a family’s face I know I couldn’t ever step down… Families live on a knife edge never really relaxing, if we can take them away from this for one hour, one day, one week, give them support when they are at their lowest, put our arms around them and listen then it is where I will always be.
I have had the privilege of working on behalf of the Emily Ash Trust since 2007. Together with our amazing fund raisers I have swam, run, ridden and jumped to support people in the toughest of situations.
I lost my daughter, Mollie, in 2006 to leukaemia, following her relapse. This has given me first hand experience of the emotional and financial difficulty faced by families.
I have spent 30 years working in the media industry, love football and spend any spare time with my amazing family.
Having ridden the roller coaster ride that having a child with cancer sends you on, has given me a unique position within the committee.
Losing our beautiful daughter Mollie when she was just 11 years old has shown me first hand that your cancer journey doesn’t just stop when treatment stops or the worst happens – the journey goes on. In these circumstances the Emily Ash Trust continues to provide invaluable support.
The trust means so much to me – I am proud to be part of an amazing team who work so hard for the benefit of others.
When The Emily Ash trust take you and your family under their wing – you become part of an extended family – that really care.
My first acquaintance with the Emily Ash Trust was through my brother and sister-in-law, Mark and Heidi, who sadly lost their beautiful daughter Mollie to leukaemia in 2006.
The support they received from the Emily Ash Trust was so wonderful that Mark and Heidi decided to join the Trust. By 2010 my husband became the Chairman and I became a committee member. We have not looked back since.
As part of the Emily Ash Trust I have had the privilege of meeting, supporting and becoming friends with so many wonderful families facing cancer over the years whose strength and courage never ceases to amaze me.
We are only a small organisation but we do make a difference. The rewards as a volunteer are boundless and I am very proud to say that I am a part of the Emily Ash Trust family.
I was first introduced to the Emily Ash Trust in 2006.
It was at this time that the Trust was fully supporting a family so close to us - the Rolfes. Sadly their journey was not successful and we lost our beautiful Mollie.
This had a deep impact on all my family, so much so that we have all continued to support the Trust in their many fund raising activities and events.
I was extremely privileged to be asked by the Trust in February 2022 to become a Wish Granter. The fact that the Trust can crEATe smiles and moments of happiness at such difficult times for those experiencing this awful journey is truly wonderful.
I have been with the Trust for nearly 7 years now. I joined the team because it has a unique philosophy being mainly local people that we help and entirely voluntary.
I also love the fact that we can deploy funds raised very quickly and with little formal application or process. We can also show people who support us with funds, exactly who and what we have spent their money on.
It makes it all so much more rewarding. For me, it’s all about making involvement with the Trust fun – everyone wins that way!
