Big-hearted comedian donates £20,000 to Kinross-based cause

Kevin Bridges has shocked staff at a Kinross-based children’s charity after an impromptu £20,000 donation.

The 33-year-old Clydebank funnyman made the spontaneous decision to donate £20,000 to Children’s Hospices Across Scotland (CHAS) as a Mother’s Day tribute to a boy he met at the charity’s Robin House hospice near Balloch in 2012.

Posting on social media, he told fans: “I wanted to make this donation in memory of my wee pal Dylan Hairstains, who used to scud me at Fifa.

“A lot of good causes like CHAS are struggling for funding during all of this, with their regular fundraising events being either postponed or cancelled.

“Children’s Hospices Across Scotland are needing some dosh. If anyone can donate then that 20k can be at least doubled if you’re feeling generous folks. Cheers!”

The gesture is a huge boost for the charity which offers palliative, respite and end-of-life care from Rachel House in Kinross, Robin House in Balloch and via its home care services.

CHAS chief executive Rami Okasha said: “We are humbled and bowled over by this. It’s a huge boost for the charity and for the families we support.

“Knowing your child will die young is the hardest thing and the current pandemic has added an unforeseen complication to that situation.”

He continued: “The fact Kevin made this gift on Mother’s Day and in memory of a wee boy he met at Robin House makes this all the more precious to us.

“We have extended an invitation for Kevin to come visit us again once we’re all through the other side of this.”

Kevin Bridges dedicated the money in memory of one of CHAS’S former patients.