Everyone can play their part
BEING told your child has only a few precious days, months or years to live is the news that every parent dreads.
Yet each week, three youngsters across Scotland die from life-shortening conditions.
For 25 years, the Children’s Hospices Across Scotland (CHAS) have been supporting families facing their toughest challenge.
The charity have two hospices – Rachel House in Kinross, built largely thanks to Record readers’ generosity, and Robin House in Balloch. They have also developed CHAS at Home and established a presence in hospitals around Scotland.
But they still only reach one in three families who need their support.
Research by CHAS and the Scottish Government found there are 15,404 babies, children and young people under 25 in Scotland with a terminal illness. But two-thirds are not known to CHAS and do not get their incredible support.
That’s why they are launching their new fundraising campaign – Keep the Joy Alive.
Backed by the Daily Record, they are asking Scots to dig deep and help double their income over the next five years – donations that will support and keep the joy alive for every family who needs their help.
The charity have also had a wee name change and are now known as Children’s Hospices Across Scotland.
CHAS chief executive Maria McGill said: “Keep the Joy Alive is our ambitious new campaign to help us reach every family in Scotland who could benefit from our care.
“Sadly, too many families are facing the heartbreak of their child dying without the support that only CHAS can provide.
“We can all play our part in helping to keep the joy alive for families facing the most devastating of times.
“It is fitting that the Daily Record is backing our campaign, as the paper and its readers were instrumental in building Rachel House, Scotland’s first children’s hospice.
“That was 25 years ago. We face a new challenge and hope readers will be inspired to support us again.”