The Magical Chaldon Owl Tree

In our January 2021 edition we told you of the Magical Chaldon Owl Tree which 'grew' out of the stump of an old ash tree in Chaldon Common Road.

By that date, an amount of £985 had been raised for The Lily Foundation, a local Warlingham charity which supports sufferers of mitochondrial disease. This charity is close to the hearts of Michael and Maxine Heyburn, the owners of the tree, as their two-year-old granddaughter Lillyanna was diagnosed with the disease in February 2020.

With wonderful generosity from local people, the magical Chaldon Owl Tree has now raised £1,942!

This amount includes a donation from Jake Chapman: on Sunday, 14 February, Michael and Maxine had a knock on their door to find a schoolboy and his mum standing there, holding a bag of money. Jake, 7, is in year 2 at St Peter and St Paul School, Chaldon and lives with his mum Amy, dad Lee and older brother Freddie in Birchwood Lane.

Jake passes the Magical Owl Tree most days, and told his mum he wanted to help raise money for The Lily Foundation. He decided on a cake sale, which took place on a freezing cold Saturday outside his house. Lots of passersby bought from him, and he raised an amazing £200!

In January, we also mentioned that Michael and Maxine's neighbour Jules Moss, from The Lavender Box, was organising her yearly raffle in aid of The Lily Foundation. Jules, together with Michael, Maxine and Rebecca (Lillyanna's mum), managed to raise £760. The raffle took place on Sunday, 14 February, with many wonderful prizes from local business.

So, a massive thank you to the following local businesses: