At midnight on Saturday 6th September, three members of Austin’s staff – Stephanie Lawrence, Hilary O’Neil and Claire Austin - took part in a 10 mile Ladies charity walk in aid of the Keech Cottage Children's Hospice.

Between them Steph, Hilary and Claire raised over £2,000 for the hospice.

Keech provides 'end of life' residential care for five children. However, in Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire there are currently 200 terminally ill children cared for, within their own homes, by the Keech community nursing team. The emotional and practical support given to the parents and siblings of these children is key to the uniqueness of Keech.

It costs £2 million per year to provide this wonderful facility within our community. However, only 25% of this is provided through Government funding.