The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Hollywood star’ s surprise donation to help fund Chas
Hollywood superstar Gerard Butler has once again shown his support for Children’s Hospices Across Scotland (Chas) by making a surprise donation while visiting family in Perthshire.
The Paisley-born PS I Love You star generously offered to match-fund money raised at the annual Comrie Festive Supper for Chas, while he was back in Scotland last week.
The 52-year-old was visiting his mum Margaret Coll, who lives in the Perthshire village.
Organised by local Chas supporters Nancy Mcrae and Barbara Stewart, the festive supper raised £2,200 this year and Gerard honoured his pledge by writing a cheque to the charity for the same amount, taking the total raised to £4,400.
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 which were cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
He said at the time: “Chas is a beautiful organisation that provides palliative care, family respite and support throughout Scotland.”
Chas community fundraiser, Lyndsay Stobie said: “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 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 every year to help Chas support children with life-shortening conditions and their families.”
Chas offers a full family support service for babies, children and young people with life-shortening conditions.
This includes palliative care, family respite and support – through the organisation’s hospices, home care services, and hospital presence.
More information can be found on the charity’s website.
“Chas is a beautiful organisation that provides palliative care and family support
Santa was the star attraction as Dunfermline celebrated the switch-on of its Christmas lights.
He arrived in the Fife town in a sleigh pulled by reindeer, to the delight of youngsters who lined the streets.
Sunday’s familyfriendly event marked Dunfermline’s countdown to Christmas.
And it added a touch of sparkle to the November afternoon.
Dunfermline Rotary Club’s annual Santa Dash kicked off the fun-packed programme.
Dressed-up locals sprinted through the town centre during a 5k race via Pittencrieff Park.
And then, just as it got dark, Santa Claus appeared just in time to lead a parade to the City Chambers.
He was greeted by Fife Provost Jim Leishman and Labour councillor Helen Law from the first floor balcony.
The pair then flipped a switch to reveal the town’s beautiful display of Christmas lights.
Mr Leishman said: “We’re all children at heart, and this is an occasion for everyone to come and enjoy.”
Kingdom FM added to the entertainment, broadcasting from their roadshow trailer throughout the afternoon.
Dunfermline’s Christmas lights switch-on follows similar festivities in Broughty Ferry on Thursday and Newburgh on Saturday.