SPAA TO SUPPORT CHARITY CHAS IN 2013

SPAA Council has announced plans to support Scottish children's charity CHAS, by fundraising during the Association's programme of events in 2013. Commenting on the initiative, SPAA President Kevin Thom said, "We are delighted to be adding this new dimension to our highly successful calendar of events - especially on behalf of such a worthy cause and such a fine charity. This is not an easy time for charitable organisations, many of which have no source of funding other than the goodwill of people in the community. As an Association, we're happy to step up - and we'll be making every effort to encourage our Members and guests, throughout 2013, to give generously!"

Children’s Hospice Association Scotland (CHAS) is a charity that provides the only hospice services in Scotland for children and young people with life-shortening conditions. CHAS offers care in two children’s hospices, Rachel House in Kinross and Robin House in Balloch. The hospices support the whole family by offering short planned breaks, emergency support, end of life care and a range of bereavement services.

CHAS also provides a home care service, called CHAS at Home, staffed from both hospices and with dedicated teams in the North of Scotland. The service offers care to families in their own homes when they need it most.

CHAS supports over 250 families, as well as a significant number of families who receive bereavement support. The services are funded mainly through the generosity of the many supporters whohelp raise over £7 million needed each year to provide these vital hospice services.

CHAS Fundraiser Kirsten Dugan said, “We are delighted that the Scottish Passenger Agents’ Association have chosen Children’s Hospice Association Scotland (CHAS) as their charity partner. This year marks 21 years since CHAS was founded and we provide the only children’s hospice services in Scotland. It costs us over £21,000 every day to run CHAS care services – Rachel House in Kinross, Robin House in Balloch and our home care service called CHAS at Home. We’re so grateful to have the support of the SPAA and we’re looking forward to a very successful partnership.”

MTB 02/02/2013