Generous star Gerard matches donation
CHAS will benefit from £4k
Donations made from a Strath fundraiser for Children’s Hospices Across Scotland ( CHAS) have been doubled thanks to a chance conversation at Comrie Golf Club.
The annual CHAS Supper, organised by local ladies Barbara Stewart and Nancy McCrae, returned this month after being cancelled last year due to the Covid- 19 pandemic.
A total of £2203 was raised.
And that money has now been matched by Hollywood superstar Gerard Butler, who made the offer while he was back in Scotland recently visiting his mum, who lives in the village.
Honouring his pledge by writing a cheque to the charity for the same amount, the actor took the total raised to £4406.
CHAS community fundraiser Lyndsay Stobie explained: “This very generous gesture from Gerard came about after one of our CHAS volunteers Bill Knox, who was helping at the fundraising supper, bumped into him and his mum at the local golf club and when he told them about the event Gerard very kindly offered to match fund whatever was raised.
“We are so grateful to Gerard for this donation and to Nancy and Barbara for organising their festive fundraiser each and every year to help CHAS support children with life-shortening conditions and their families across Scotland.”
Nancy and Barbara and their team have raised over £30,000 over the years for the children’s hospices, Rachel House and Robin House, with the supper at the White Church.
The fundraiser usually takes the form of a pot luck supper and talk from CHAS representatives.
This year ‘hostesses’ cooked for their own tables and disposable plates and cups were used to help keep everyone safe.
Nancy told the Herald: “Barbara and I are delighted with this year’s event.
“It was nice to see everybody back. We would like to thank everyone who came to our alternative CHAS Supper and to all the hostesses.
“A big thank you also to Jaclyn at the White Church and to Bill and Richard for helping on the night.
“The past two years have been terrible for the charity. As with all charities, they’ve had a raw deal due to the pandemic.
“We are delighted for CHAS to be receiving this total. The fact that Gerard matched the money that we made is fantastic.”
This is the second time the kind-hearted actor has supported CHAS after taking part in the charity’s Big Girly Quiz last year which was organised virtually in place of a number of events that were cancelled due to the pandemic.
He said at the time: “CHAS is a beautiful organisation that provides palliative care, family respite and support throughout Scotland.”
Gerard very kindly offered to match fund whatever was raised Lyndsay Stobie