Six years since he first came up with the idea of a special holiday house for sick youngsters, the family, friends and supporters of Sebastian Gates have broken ground at the site where his dream will become a reality.

On Thursday 18th February, Sebastian's parents, Jane and Michael Gates and his sister Rebecca, dug the first spadefuls of earth at the site in North Waltham, Hampshire, where the holiday house will be built this year.

The day, which would have marked Sebastian's 16th birthday, was a hugely celebratory occasion with around 180 guests, all of whom had played a part in helping the Trust to raise the funds and get this far, braving the cold, rain and mud  to witness the momentous achievement.

Sebastian's mother and Director of Sebastian's Action Trust, Jane Gates said: "Being able to combine honouring Sebastian's birthday with this important milestone in the Trust's history was absolutely fantastic. In spite of the dire weather conditions many of our family, friends and faithful Sebastian's Action Trust supporters braved the elements to take part in the first dig and to release balloons into the sky. The whole day had a really special, celebratory feel to it and we are now anxious to see construction begin in earnest on our site."

Sebastian's father Michael Gates said: "With so many friends, family and supporters going to great lengths to join us, it was a fitting tribute to our very brave son."

Following the official first dig by Sebastian's family, guests were invited to grab a spade themselves and dig a marked section of the site. They were also able to write a message on a card attached to a balloon. The balloons were then released together filling the sky above the field with a mass of blue and silver.

The groundbreaking follows six years of hard work by Sebastian's family, and the Trust established in his name, to raise the funds necessary to build the holiday house and to obtain planning permission. Among those who attended were Pat Sweeney, the landowner who gifted the site to the Trust, Sister Frances Dominica, Founder of Helen House Hospice and Patron of Sebastian's Action Trust, and Ascot MP Adam Afriyie.

Sebastian's sister Rebecca added: "Sebastian would have been so proud and amazed by the number of people who turned out to celebrate his birthday and mark the beginning of something truly special."

The Trust will announce the name of the contractor who will build the house shortly and it is hoped construction will commence in the next eight weeks.   Visit the WEBSITE for more information