CHAS - THE SPAA'S DESIGNATED CHARITY + THE WORTHIEST OF CAUSES

Introducing CHAS (Children's Hospice Association Scotland) - the SPAA's newly designated charity - to Members and guests at the recent Spring Networking Lunch, charity fundraiser Kirsten Dougan provided both an overview of its day to day activities and funding requirements, and a personal and moving story of one family helped by the charity through a heartbreaking time in the past year.

CHAS operates Scotland's only hospices specifically designed for children with life-shortening diseases - Rachel House in Kinross and Robin House in Ballater. The charity provides respite care - from 3 days to 3 months - for affected families; emergency care for when family carers are indisposed; end of life care and bereavement care for up to 500 families, all at an annual cost of around £8 million. Funding comes solely from donations from the general public.

To illustrate the charity's day to day work, Kirsten related the story of a young family - a couple in their thirties with a daughter of 4 years and a younger son with a life-threatening illness - whose symptoms included almost constant seizures. CHAS provided the family with a nine week stay in Rachel House, during which the calm, empathetic and supportive atmosphere largely eliminated the boy's seizures. Following his passing, the family returned to Rachel House for a bereavement counselling visit - accommodated in the same bright, airy and comfortable room as previously, and helped to recover from the trauma of his loss.

The SPAA will be supporting CHAS at a number of its events during the coming year, and more information on the charity and how to help can be requested by emailing Kirsten at kirstendugan@chas.org.uk

MTB 21/04/2013