'˜Nick's Nutters' take on fundraising trek

The Nick’s Nutters challenge has taken place since 2009.

It started when Nick Coppin, a builder, cycled from Lands End to John O’Groats to raise money for Chestnut Tree House.

The next year he cycled to Barcelona, with the same aim.

After these challenges, he began getting his friends and family involved by travelling across the South Downs way.

Sadly Nick passed away in February 2016, but his wonderful legacy is still alive.

Nick’s daughter, Olivia Coppin, said: “The challenge involves getting 100 friends and family to walk or cycle sections of the South Downs Way, in order to raise funds for local children’s hospice, Chestnut Tree House.

“Our ‘nutters’ walked and cycled 12, 28 or 46 miles across the far too hilly South Downs.

“This year the event is particularly poignant, as in February this year my father passed away after a long battle with illness.

“However, he was determined to make Nick’s Nutters happen in 2016, and so were we!

“Since 2009, Nick cycled from Lands End to John O’Groats, from here to Barcelona and then started the Nick’s Nutters event dragging us all along with him, all in aid of Chestnut Tree House.

“Up until this year, his fundraising efforts raised a whopping £46,560 in total.

“The total raised this year was £6104.52, bringing the total Nick’s Nutters has raised over the years top £52,000!

“The event was an amazing success!

“We had over 100 people take part, walking and cycling across the very muddy South Downs Way.

“The weather was very kind to us on the day though, and everyone met at the end for a well-deserved BBQ at The Bridge Inn.

“It was all in aid of a great charity, and in memory of a great man!”

To support Nick’s Nutters and ‘The Nutty Team’, visit the JustGiving page to donate and find out more at www.justgiving.com/NicksNutters2016.

Chestnut Tree House is the children’s hospice for Sussex and South East Hampshire and cares for 300 children and young adults from 0-19 years of age.

Find out more about the hospice by visiting the website at www.chestnut-tree-house.org.uk.

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