I joined with staff and volunteers from the Children’s Hospices Across Scotland, better known as CHAS, to celebrate its 20th anniversary.
In Scotland, nearly 16,000 children and young people live with life-shortening conditions and CHAS is determined to reach every family who needs it. CHAS works across Scotland, able to provide its hospice services nationwide for babies, children and young people with life-shortening conditions, CHAS offers palliative, respite and end-of-life care from Rachel House in Kinross and Robin House in Balloch.
The organisation has expanded over the years, and now has two charity shops in Dunfermline and two units on Kinross High Street.
The charities retail arm was set up to support the local hospice Rachel House, and the shops have become a focal point in both Dunfermline and Kinross, taking a significant place in the hearts of local residents.
The money raised is due to a remarkable volunteer force and a steady stream of donated goods from households across the region. Several of the volunteers behind the scenes have remained with the shops since day one.
I was delighted to be invited along to celebrate 20 years of this local institution, having watched a community grow around CHAS since the charity was founded. I have witnessed the welcoming atmosphere of Rachel House first-hand over the years and have high praise for the work of staff, volunteers and the support that this facility and the CHAS at Home service is able to offer children and families in the most difficult circumstances.
On my visit I saw how the shop assists in that crucial quest – the volume of incoming donations from the public and the efforts made by the voluntary group that keeps the shop operational are inspirational. A community endeavour with a lot of heart.
To get involved in CHAS as a volunteer, whether you’d like to help run one of the shops or represent the charity as an ambassador in your community, the full range of current opportunities can be found online at: www.chas.org.uk.
