CHAS makes helping children easy as ABC

Charity unveils new look in bid to double its income and increase number of families it can help

One of Scotland’s most popular charities, Children’s Hospice Association Scotland (CHAS), has unveiled ambitious plans to double income and help even more families who need its services.

The charity only supports one of the three children who die each week of a life-shortening condition in Scotland.

At Rachel House in Kinross yesterday it was revealed how the charity has teamed up with a group of creative youngsters supported by its services to design a new look for the organisation in an effort to gain even more public support.

The CHAS Alphabet is made up of more than 60 letters, each with a unique story behind it relating to the designer.

The alphabet is part of the charity’s new fundraising campaign, Keep the Joy Alive, which aims to double its income over the next five years to help CHAS achieve its ambition of reaching every family who needs its help.

It is hoped that people across Scotland will back the campaign by spelling out their name in the new CHAS alphabet, which is available in sticker form, sharing it on social media and sending their CHAS name to the charity for them to collect. The names will be used to create a major event later this year.

CHAS chief executive Maria McGill said: “Sadly too many families are facing the heartbreak of losing a child without the support that only CHAS can give.

“We want to make sure that wherever there’s a child in Scotland with a life-shortening condition, we’re on hand to support their entire family.

“Of course to do that we need to increase our income. Our beautiful new CHAS alphabet will play a key part in helping us achieve this goal.

“We’re rightly proud of our new alphabet – the children really were the best designers for the job and their creations perfectly capture who we are and the care we provide.

“Thanks to all the children for giving us a beautiful new look.”

In 2014 to 2015 CHAS recorded £10.1 million of income and expenditure amounting to £12.6m.

Sadly too many families are facing the heartbreak of losing a child without the support that only CHAS can give

Picture: Angus Findlay. Maria McGill, centre, with the Scott family, who helped design the new alphabet, from left, Lilly, 10, Adam, 16, mum Lynne, Aime, 7, and stepdad Gavin.