Local girl stages successful Mannequin Challenge in memory of her father

Katie Squire, one of three generations of the Stubbings family and General Manager of Channels wedding venue, hotel and restaurant in Little Waltham near Chelmsford, demonstrated the true spirit of Christmas when she, her sister Charlie and mother Sara organised a fundraiser this week to honour her late father, Tony Squire.

After being diagnosed with cancer in January 2015, Farleigh Hospice in Chelmsford provided much needed support to Tony and his family before he passed away three weeks later. It was the exceptional care of Farleigh Hospice that enabled Tony to spend his final days in the comfort of his own home surrounded by his family and loved ones.

 The Mannequin Challengehttps://www.facebook.com/channelsestate/?fref=tswhich has already had more than 5000 views, featured teachers from Great Baddow High School, Barnes Farm School, Westlands CP School and Terling Primary School, local businesses and the Channels team. It involved Christmas party goers posing frozen drinking champagne, pulling crackers, clinking glasses and one rather intoxicated chef appearing to have passed out in the kitchen!

 Despite its humour, to Katie the Mannequin Challenge was a strong representation of how she and her family felt the moment they were told of Tony's terminal cancer.

 Katie explained, "When you or someone you love finds out they have terminal cancer your world stops. That's why I wanted to create a video that reflected our emotions when we learnt that Dad had cancer.

 "Cancer touches one in three lives and therefore our story is just like so many others. The loss is made so much worse at Christmas because the celebrations are always tinged with so much sadness.

 "The Mannequin Challenge was our way of saying thank you to the Farleigh Hospice for the incredible support they gave us during Dad's final weeks."

 Farleigh Hospice receives only 40% of their funding from the local NHS, which means they need to raise £15,595 through voluntary funding each and every day to carry on providing care. As they continue to care for an increasing number of people and running costs grow, they increasingly rely on the support and generosity of the public.

On the night, Channels raised £830, however generous donations are still flooding in to their Just Giving page which will remain open far into the New Year -www.justgiving.com/fundraising/channelsmannequinchallenge.

 For further information contact Melanie Faldo or Charlotte Quatrine at socal.uk@gmail.com