Staff at Chestnut Tree House children’s hospice, near Arundel, have been left shocked after a much-loved statue was stolen from the hospice grounds in broad daylight on Tuesday 16 December.
The sculpture, which depicts a little boy sitting down and playing with a mouse, was taken from outside the hospice entrance during the day. The charity is now appealing to the local community to help make the statue “too hot to handle” by keeping an eye out for it on online selling sites, social media marketplaces and at car boot sales.
Kevin Blackett, Head of Operational Delivery at Chestnut Tree House and Southern Hospice Group, described the theft as particularly distressing.
He said: “This is such a cold-hearted and horrible thing to happen, it feels even worse happening just before Christmas. This is a special time of year for our families, and this is so disrespectful.”
The stolen figure forms part of a trio of sculptures showing children at play, positioned near the hospice entrance. The remaining statues include a little girl gazing at her hands and an older girl dancing. Funded by a generous supporter at a cost of more than £5,000, the sculptures were installed in 2004 and have since become an iconic and much-loved feature of the hospice grounds.
Kevin added: “The statues are distinctive. They offer families and children a reassuring signal that they have arrived at a place of care, sanctuary and play.”
The sculptures were created by Devon-based artist Vanessa Marston using bronze resin. The statue of the boy with the mouse is described as capturing the gentleness, curiosity and kindness of childhood, reflecting the children cared for at the hospice.
As the piece is one of a kind, it is almost impossible to replace. Chestnut Tree House is a charity and could not afford to fund a replacement, with the hospice costing almost £9 million a year to run. Only 19 per cent of its funding comes from government sources, with the remainder reliant on donations to provide specialist end-of-life care for children with life-limiting illnesses.
Sussex Police are investigating the theft, and the charity is urging anyone who spots the statue or has information to come forward. In response to the incident, the hospice has also introduced extra security measures, including closing its car park earlier during the darker winter months. The hospice building itself remains fully secured 24/7, with access restricted to staff using pass-cards or visitors with appointments.
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