Tag: CHAS

Fresh Start one of eight Edinburgh charities shortlisted for awards

Vote for your favourite Scottish Charity Awards finalist!

Run annually by the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO), the Scottish Charity Awards celebrate the best of Scotland’s voluntary sector.

This year’s shortlist includes 32 individuals and organisations from charities and voluntary groups across the country. While a judging panel will determine the winners under nine distinct categories, members of the public can have their say by voting for their favourite overall entry in the People’s Choice Award – by visiting scvo.scot/vote – before 5pm on Wednesday 24 May 2023.

There are eight Edinburgh-based organisation and individual finalists:

  • Capability Scotland (Pioneering Project)
  • Children’s Hospices Across Scotland – Charlie Leavy (Employee of the Year)
  • Fresh Start Scotland (Community Action)
  • Edinburgh Science (Climate Conscious)
  • YouthLink Scotland (Climate Conscious)
  • Brain Health Scotland – My Amazing Brain (Campaign of the Year)
  • Feniks  – Shed Your Armour, Show the Scars (Campaign of the Year)
  • RSABI – David Leggatt MBE (Trustee of the Year)

Winners will be announced on 23 June 2023 in a celebratory awards ceremony hosted by broadcaster Sally Magnusson at the Sheraton Hotel, Edinburgh.

Anna Fowlie, Chief Executive, SCVO said: “The Scottish Charity Awards are a fabulous opportunity to celebrate the exceptional individuals and groups within our vibrant sector. 

“This year’s record-breaking number of nominations underlines the strength of Scotland’s voluntary sector, and the crucial work that we see from charities and voluntary organisations across the country. The hard work and dedication of people and organisations like these 32 finalists are making Scotland a better place to live and work.

“There is still a chance to have your own voice heard by voting in the People’s Choice Award. Don’t be late – participate!”

The full shortlist is:

Campaign of the year

  • Feniks – Shed Your Armour, Show the Scars
  • Brain Health Scotland – My Amazing Brain
  • Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity – Jack’s Wee Snowman with the Big Heart
  • Western Isles Violence Against Women Partnership – Safer Outer Hebrides

Volunteer of the year

  • Andrii Zhehestovskyi – Libraries & Information Services Dundee
  • Garry Duthie – Camphill School Aberdeen    
  • Gordon Harkin – Cancer Support Scotland

Pioneering project

  • Quarriers
  • SAMH (Scottish Association for Mental Health)
  • GEMAP
  • Capability Scotland
  • Cycling Without Age Scotland

Employee of the year

  • Man On! Inverclyde – Peter Canevale
  • Children’s Hospices Across Scotland – Charlie Leavy
  • Beatson Cancer Charity – Paul Sheerin

Community Action

  • Fresh Start Scotland
  • Golden Friendships
  • Maryhill Integration Network

Climate Conscious

  • YouthLink Scotland
  • Edinburgh Science
  • Climate Action Strathaven

Trustee of the year

  • Disability Snowsport UK – Carmel Teusner
  • Amma Birth Companions – Vongayi Mufara
  • Glasgow East Alcohol Awareness Project – John Strange
  • RSABI   – David Leggat MBE

Digital Citizens

  • Simon Community Scotland
  • Scottish Union of Supported Employment
  • North East Sensory Services (NESS)

Charity of the year

  • Team Jak Foundation
  • Maslow’s Community
  • Diversified
  • Community Food Initiatives North East

Practically Perfect Partnership in Every Way!

Thorntons Solicitors announced as headline sponsor for Poppins-themed CHAS ball

Scottish law firm Thorntons is supporting Children’s Hospices Across Scotland (CHAS) as headline sponsor for a second year at the charity’s sixth Rocking Horse Ball this summer.

The prestigious annual event, which will be held at Prestonfield House in Edinburgh on Friday 2 June is known as one of the best and most-loved charity dinners of the year in the capital, selling out months in advance. 

This year’s ball is being hosted by Jess Robinson and will have a Mary Poppins theme,

Thorntons offers a full range of legal services and advice to individuals as well as businesses across the country. 

Di Alton, CHAS’s High Profile Events Manager, said: “We can’t quite believe this is the sixth year of Rocking Horse and we are proud and privileged to have the continued support from Thorntons for a second year. 

“With their very generous sponsorship, we are able to wow our guests from start to finish, creating an incredible and memorable event that will raise vital funds for CHAS. We can’t wait to fly our guests to Number 17 Cherry Tree Lane and we know it’ll be an event that everyone will be talking about for weeks to come.”

Clare Macpherson, Lead Partner at Thorntons in Edinburgh, said: “It’s remarkable and humbling to witness the difference CHAS makes to families across Scotland. We’ve long supported the CHAS Rocking Horse Ball and we’re proud to once again be event sponsors and support their ongoing work.”

The 2022 Rocking Horse Ball, sponsored by Thorntons, raised over £100,000 for the children and families CHAS supports. 

In Scotland, nearly 16,000 children and young people live with life-shortening conditions and CHAS is determined to reach every family who needs its services. 

The charity provides nation-wide hospice services for babies, children and young people with life-shortening conditions at Rachel House in Kinross and Robin House in Balloch while the CHAS at Home service supports families their own homes.
To find out more about CHAS visit www.chas.org.uk

British Gas Energy Trust awards six figure grant to Children’s Hospices Across Scotland charity

Children’s Hospices Across Scotland (CHAS) has been awarded a grant totalling more than £196,000 to support the families of babies, children and young people with life-shortening conditions through the cost-of-living crisis.

The funding has been provided by the British Gas Energy Trust – an independent charitable trust that supports families and individuals facing financial hardship and energy debt, directly and through local and national money and energy advice services and charities.

CHAS is the single national provider of hospice care to children in Scotland. CHAS offers support to children with life-shortening conditions and their families through its hospices in Kinross and Balloch, a specialist team in every children’s hospital in Scotland, and in the community.

The funding package will be used to deploy additional Family Income Maximisation Officers to offer money and energy advice in our hospices, in homes, in hospitals and virtually.

Specific skills sessions will focus on the running of household appliances and will provide useful money and energy-saving tips like batch cooking. Eligible families will also be able to apply for emergency fuel vouchers, and necessary appliances like air dryers and hot water bottles – alongside other practical measures like warm bedding will be available.

Rami Okasha, CHAS CEO, said: “We are so thankful to the British Gas Energy Trust for awarding us this grant which will help the families that we support across Scotland and enhance our current money and energy advice service.

“The families we support have a child with a life shortening condition. Many of these families, as well as living with the psychologically devastating knowledge of the impending death of a much loved child, encounter many practical and economic disadvantages.

Many families are also providing round the clock care and don’t have a choice in turning off their heating or equipment that keeps their child alive. At a time where these families should be making happy memories together, they are living with fear and worry.

“This fund will allow us to provide 1-to-1 intensive support for families in emergency situations who may require advice around energy tariffs, cost of running household appliances and saving money when cooking. It will also allow us to provide emergency fuel vouchers helping ease the strain of travelling costs. 

Jessica Taplin, CEO of the British Gas Energy Trust, said: “The rising cost of living means more people are experiencing financial difficulty for the first time, and are struggling to pay their bills.

“ Some of the families CHAS help are facing a devastating time, as a Trust we are committed to working to support those most affected by the terrible impact of poverty, and this new funding partnership will help provide intensive support for families in emergency situations – so hopefully they have one less thing to worry about.”

Since the start of the cost-of-living crisis, Centrica – the parent company of British Gas – has put together a support package for households worth more than £25m, which will continue to grow.

This funding includes 18-month grants paid to more than 20 advice centres and charities across England, Scotland and Wales, including CHAS.

For more information about the British Gas Energy Trust, to find out about the support that’s available, and to apply for a grant, visit:

 https://britishgasenergytrust.org.uk/.

Amazon community Halloween fancy dress party supports CHAS

The team at Amazon in Dunfermline recently celebrated Halloween by inviting the local community to take part in trick-or-treating at the fulfilment centre. 

Families from the local area were invited to visit the fulfilment centre for a Halloween themed fancy dress event. Members of the Amazon team also celebrated the day with sweet treat giveaways and a charity raffle in support of CHAS. 

Jamie Strain, General Manager at Amazon in Dunfermline, said: “We all had such a great evening and loved seeing so many children dressed up for Halloween. The atmosphere was fantastic and it’s even better that we could support CHAS in the process.”

Amazon Dunfermline (EDI4) Hallowe’en Party, Mon 31/10/2022. Photography from: Colin Hattersley Photography – www.colinhattersley.com – cphattersley@gmail.com – 07974 957 388.

Kim Skelton, a member of the local community who visited the event, added: “My kids loved Halloween trick-or-treating at Amazon.

“The decorations were brilliant, and everyone really enjoyed themselves.”

Amazon Dunfermline (EDI4) Hallowe’en Party, Mon 31/10/2022. Photography from: Colin Hattersley Photography – www.colinhattersley.com – cphattersley@gmail.com – 07974 957 388.

Lara MacDonald, Senior Corporate Partnerships Executive at CHAS, said: “I want to say thank you to the Amazon team for supporting us through the site’s Halloween event. Every donation means so much to us and we always appreciate Amazon in Dunfermline’s support.”

The donation to CHAS was made as part of Amazon’s programme to support the communities around its operating locations across the UK.

First-ever Elf Toddle Walk at The Centre, Livingston for children’s charity, CHAS

The Centre, Livingston is appealing for little ones to join them in its first-ever Elf Toddle Walk on Sunday, 6th November at 9am to take part in a one-mile walk around the mall and raise funds for Children’s Hospices Across Scotland, CHAS, which provides the country’s only hospice services for children and young people with life-shortening conditions.

Little ones and their adults are being encouraged to dress up in their favourite festive attire and join a team of Santa’s elves on a one-mile lap of the shopping centre, which has easy access for buggies.

Go Radio Breakfast Show Presenter Crofty will be there on the day alongside Go Radio Dance’s Zoe Kelly playing all the big Christmas tunes and taking part in the countdown warm-up to help get the little ones off to a great start.

Along the way children will encounter some special Christmas surprises and treats and on completion will be awarded with a commemorative medal for taking part at the ‘Selfie Elfie’ zone.

Entry is £5 per child with admission fees at https://bit.ly/TheCentreEventbriteLink.  

Once registered, a personal walk number and elf hat can be collected from the Customer Service Desk at The Centre, Livingston between the 31st October and 5th November, with proof of ticket, to enable participants to take part on the day.

Parents can either pick up sponsor forms in advance at the Customer Service Desk, download them from the website, www.thecentrelivingston.com or bring their own. All sponsored donations will go to charity. Full details are on the website

 www.thecentrelivingston.com.

Hayley Smith, Community Fundraiser at CHAS, said: “We are so incredibly grateful to The Centre, Livingston for choosing to support CHAS through their Elf Toddle Walk.

“The funds raised will not only help us to provide care for children but also to help families make wonderful memories together.”

Ashley Bisland, Deputy Centre Director at The Centre, Livingston, said: “We’re really excited to be partnering with the charity CHAS to host our first-ever Elf Toddle Walk around the mall to help raise money for such a great cause.

“It’s a brilliant way to show kids that you can have fun getting a little bit of exercise in whilst helping other people at the same time.”

Amazon Goes Gold for Kids with Cancer in September

The team at Amazon’s fulfilment centre in Dunfermline made a £3,000 donation to Children’s Hospices Across Scotland and a £1,000 donation to Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity as part of the company’s global Amazon Goes Gold for Kids with Cancer campaign during September’s Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. 

Now in its sixth year, Amazon Goes Gold for Kids with Cancer raises funds and awareness for organisations working to increase survival rates for those with childhood cancer through life-saving treatments and research.

A gold ribbon is the universal symbol for childhood cancer, so this year, Amazon employees from Dunfermline held a month-long series of gold-themed events in recognition of the international emblem. 

The team also showed solidarity to children with cancer by donating £3,000 to Kinross-based charity Children’s Hospices Across Scotland and £1,000 to Edinburgh-based charity Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity.

One of the events this year at Amazon in Dunfermline was a Pyjama Day, which saw the fulfilment centre team join with colleagues across the UK to wear pyjamas to work in honour of children who spend every day in their pyjamas during treatment. 

Amazon Dunfermline General Manager, Jamie Strain, said: “We are proud to support CHAS and Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity in honour of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month and this year’s Amazon Goes Gold for Kids with Cancer campaign.

“We look forward to doing our bit for children with cancer every year, and hope that this donation offers encouragement to the charity’s brilliant team and the families it supports.”

One of the Amazon employees who took part in Amazon Goes Gold for Kids with Cancer is Aoife Considine. She added: “It was great to take part in Amazon in Dunfermline’s Pyjama Day and help spread awareness of the realities of childhood cancer. I’m so pleased that we could offer support to such an excellent charity.”

This year, Amazon employees in the UK also had the opportunity to support children and families affected by childhood cancer by volunteering with childhood cancer charities and organisations, or by putting together activity packs for children facing cancer, which were distributed to nearby hospitals and hospices.

Amazon Goes Gold for Kids with Cancer takes place annually as part of Amazon’s programme to support the communities in and around its operating locations across the UK.

Edinburgh nurse Evelyn receives WellChild Award

Nurse Evelyn Rodger from Edinburgh collected her prestigious national 2022 WellChild Award, in association with GSK, at the Hurlingham Club in London on 8 September.

Evelyn was nominated by colleague and charity CEO, Rami Okasha,

The Awards are run by WellChild, the national charity for seriously ill children. The charity’s Patron, The Duke of Sussex was called away to Balmoral and so could not attend the WellChild Awards ceremony with his wife the Duchess as planned.

The news of Her Majesty’s passing broke just as the awards ceremony was about to take place. In a change to the planned proceedings, there was a short silence as a mark of respect followed by a rendition of The National Anthem from opera singers Natalie Rushdie and Camilla Kerslake. The winners then all came onto the stage as a group to receive their awards.

Evelyn, who is a Diana Children’s Nurse with Children’s Hospices Across Scotland was picked from hundreds of nominations from across the UK to win the Nurse category in these Awards which celebrate the resilience of children living with serious illnesses or complex conditions and honour the dedication of those individuals who go the extra mile to help these children and their families. 

Evelyn has been a Diana Children’s Nurse (DCN) with Children’s Hospices Across Scotland for the past eight years, having joined the charity in 2014.  In her role Evelyn is based in the neonatal Unit in Simpsons in Edinburgh Royal Infirmary but she also covers five neonatal units across Southeast of Scotland and Tayside. 

In addition to her nursing Evelyn supports and delivers training for NHS Lothian and CHAS staff, developing an environment of close working not only with the hospital and community teams, but with the CHAS hospice, at home and family support teams. Evelyn’s dedication and her collaborative approach creates a seamless service to families.

WellChild Awards 2022 in association with GSK, at The Hurlingham Club, London (8.9.22 – (right) Nurse if the Year Evelyn Rodger with husband James Picture by Antony Thompson – Thousand Word Media, NO SALES, NO SYNDICATION. Contact for more information mob: 07775556610 web: www.thousandwordmedia.com email: antony@thousandwordmedia.com The photographic copyright (© 2022) is exclusively retained by the works creator at all times and sales, syndication or offering the work for future publication to a third party without the photographer’s knowledge or agreement is in breach of the Copyright Designs and Patents Act 1988, (Part 1, Section 4, 2b). Please contact the photographer should you have any questions with regard to the use of the attached work and any rights involved.

Evelyn was instrumental in a pioneering memory making project called ‘Joes Toes’ which has raised over £15,000 since 2018 to allow CHAS and neonatal units to purchase the materials required to make 3D baby hand and foot-casts, respectfully done in baby Joe’s name. 

Joe was one of twins who was sadly stillborn as a result of twin to twin transfusion syndrome. Part of Evelyn’s role as Diana Nurse is to provide bereavement support and to help parents find ways to create precious lasting memories with their babies, a role which she feels very passionate about. 

Joe’s mother Marie said: “Evelyn is a compassionate, kind, gentle woman who is incredibly knowledgeable in bereavement care and we feel privileged that she was there to support us in making cherished memories with Joe and with saying goodbye with no regrets.

“As part of the memory making process, we asked if she would be able to help us take 3D casts of Joe’s feet. Evelyn was more than willing to help us in any way she could. Joe’s cast is now one of our most cherished possessions and to be able to physically touch, hold, see, something that was exactly his is so very precious.

“Our little Joe has given us, and now other families, so much without even being here. He never drew breath but he has changed us forever.”

CHAS CEO Rami Okasha, who nominated Evelyn for the WellChild Award, said: “Evelyn is retiring from CHAS in September this year so to receive a WellChild Award in her retiral year is an incredible honour. 

“Evelyn has supported hundreds of families, making sure they have time to spend together and are able to make the choices about end-of-life care for their child and understand the really difficult things that are going on around them. 

“More than that Evelyn is an inspiration to her colleagues who work so well with the team across CHAS and across the NHS to support newborn children and parents when the time they have together is going to be incredibly short. 

“Evelyn goes above and beyond to build deep connections with families and says in touch with them even long after her care ends. I have heard myself from parents the difference that Evelyn has made to them.

“It is humbling to hear and I want Evelyn to know there are people across Scotland whose lives she has changed forever and they are incredibly grateful to the skill and dedication and kindness she has shown every single day at her work.”

WellChild Chief Executive, Matt James said: “We were so pleased to be able to celebrate our remarkable winners at The WellChild Awards 2022, in association with GSK, despite the unique circumstances this year.

“It was a chance to recognise and highlight the immense challenges they have faced and to celebrate the remarkable positivity, resilience, and spirit they have demonstrated. It also helped us to shine a light on the dedication of those around them, from siblings, professionals and volunteers who have gone above and beyond to help them through such challenging times.”

WellChild Awards: Dr Pat Carragher rewarded for exceptional work for seriously ill children

Dr Pat Carragher has been named as a winner in the prestigious national 2022 WellChild Awards, in association with GSK, having been nominated by his colleague Emma Craig.

Pat will be off to collect his award in London on September 8th.

The Awards are run by WellChild, the national charity for seriously ill children, and will be attended by the charity’s Patron, Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex and his wife Meghan, The Duchess of Sussex. The Duke will deliver remarks.

Dr Carragher, who is Medical Director at Children’s Hospices Across Scotland, was picked from hundreds of nominations from across the UK to win the Legacy category in these Awards which celebrate the resilience of children living with serious illnesses or complex conditions and honour the dedication of those individuals who go the extra mile to help these children and their families. 

In summer of 2022, Dr Pat Carragher will be retiring as Medical Director at CHAS after nearly 39 years of working as a doctor. He has encountered periods of great change in his years as a medic including in Primary Care when he was a GP in Kinross before becoming Rachel House’s first hospice doctor and formally beginning work in Children’s Palliative Care in March 1996.

Dr Carragher has led the changes to CHAS’s medical service provisions through the Covid-19 pandemic. Despite the challenges the pandemic brought, alongside the team, he was determined to find ways to continue to reach the thousands of children with life-shortening conditions that rely on CHAS.

He helped establish new and innovative ways of working using technology to provide help to families across Scotland and proved himself to be a strong and resilient leader through immense change. He has reshaped CHAS’s medical services, helping families during what continues to be an isolating and unpredictable time. 

Within three to four weeks from the start of the Coid-19 Pandemic, CHAS completely adapted its service offering to survive and to maintain the very best standards of care for children with palliative care needs, and to support their families.

Dr Carragher also led on virtual work through the “Near me” consultations via the NHS and by the use of Microsoft Teams, to interact with and assess children at home, and to work with their parents.

CHAS’s pioneering virtual children’s hospice was also launched at the beginning of the pandemic and has rapidly developed since proving to be extremely successful.

Dr Carragher has also helped lead the CHAS hospital teams in Glasgow, Aberdeen and Edinburgh through this period of transformation, providing clinical leadership and support in the planning and delivery of palliative care whilst working closely with the NHS and local authorities.

He was key in launching the first hospital-based Supportive and Palliative Care team in Scotland at the Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow and has continued to provide specialist advice through the pandemic. 

Rami Okasha, the Chief Executive Officer of Children’s Hospices Across Scotland, who nominated Dr Carragher for the WellChild Award, said: “Dr Pat’s leadership and strength of character has enabled the team to adapt in ways which they never imagined. He’s shown resilience and an unwavering drive for reaching all of those who require CHAS’s help, and he’s inspired not only the medical team but all teams.”

“Dr Pat was continuously able to inspire and encourage teams to ‘keep going’ during the pandemic and to embrace the new and innovate ways to deliver care. He has provided solid leadership throughout this period of immense change.

“Dr Carragher ends many presentations with the following which he feels is vital for us all to understand: ‘The death of a child has serious and lasting effects on parents and other family members, effectively for the rest of their lives. Any attempt to reduce symptoms and improve quality of life in the final days or weeks, must not only be good for a child but, in the fullness of time, be helpful to those left behind‘.”

WellChild Chief Executive, Matt James said: “There are more children and young people than ever before in the UK living with long-term, serious health needs.

“The WellChild Awards 2022, in association with GSK, will be a unique opportunity to recognise and highlight the immense challenges they have faced and to celebrate the remarkable positivity, resilience and spirit they have demonstrated.

“It will also help us to shine a light on the dedication of those around them, from siblings, professionals and volunteers who have gone above and beyond to help them through such challenging times.”

Edinburgh nurse Evelyn to receive WellChild Award

Remarkable Evelyn from Edinburgh is rewarded for exceptional work for seriously ill children with national WellChild Award

Nurse Evelyn Rodger from Edinburgh has been named as a winner in the prestigious national 2022 WellChild Awards, in association with GSK, having been nominated by colleague and charity CEO, Rami Okasha, and will be off to collect her award in London on September 8th.

The Awards are run by WellChild, the national charity for seriously ill children, and will be attended by the charity’s Patron, Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex and his wife Meghan, The Duchess of Sussex. The Duke will deliver remarks.

Evelyn, who is a Diana Children’s Nurse with Children’s Hospices Across Scotland was picked from hundreds of nominations from across the UK to win the Nurse category in these Awards which celebrate the resilience of children living with serious illnesses or complex conditions and honour the dedication of those individuals who go the extra mile to help these children and their families. 

Evelyn has been a Diana Children’s Nurse (DCN) with Children’s Hospices Across Scotland for the past eight years, having joined the charity in 2014.

  In her role Evelyn is based in the neonatal Unit in Simpsons in Edinburgh Royal Infirmary but she also covers five neonatal units across Southeast of Scotland and Tayside. 

In addition to her nursing Evelyn supports and delivers training for NHS Lothian and CHAS staff, developing an environment of close working not only with the hospital and community teams, but with the CHAS hospice, at home and family support teams. Evelyn’s dedication and her collaborative approach creates a seamless service to families.

Evelyn was instrumental in a pioneering memory making project called ‘Joes Toes’ which has raised over £15,000 since 2018 to allow CHAS and neonatal units to purchase the materials required to make 3D baby hand and foot-casts, respectfully done in baby Joe’s name. 

Joe was one of twins who was sadly stillborn as a result of twin to twin transfusion syndrome. Part of Evelyn’s role as Diana Nurse is to provide bereavement support and to help parents find ways to create precious lasting memories with their babies, a role which she feels very passionate about. 

Joe’s mother Marie said: “Evelyn is a compassionate, kind, gentle woman who is incredibly knowledgeable in bereavement care and we feel privileged that she was there to support us in making cherished memories with Joe and with saying goodbye with no regrets.

“As part of the memory making process, we asked if she would be able to help us take 3D casts of Joe’s feet. Evelyn was more than willing to help us in any way she could. Joe’s cast is now one of our most cherished possessions and to be able to physically touch, hold, see, something that was exactly his is so very precious.

“Our little Joe has given us, and now other families, so much without even being here. He never drew breath but he has changed us forever.”

CHAS CEO Rami Okasha, who nominated Evelyn for the WellChild Award, said: “Evelyn is retiring from CHAS in September this year so to receive a WellChild Award in her retiral year is an incredible honour. 

“Evelyn has supported hundreds of families, making sure they have time to spend together and are able to make the choices about end-of-life care for their child and understand the really difficult things that are going on around them. 

“More than that Evelyn is an inspiration to her colleagues who work so well with the team across CHAS and across the NHS to support newborn children and parents when the time they have together is going to be incredibly short. 

“Evelyn goes above and beyond to build deep connections with families and says in touch with them even long after her care ends. I have heard myself from parents the difference that Evelyn has made to them. It is humbling to hear and I want Evelyn to know there are people across Scotland whose lives she has changed forever and they are incredibly grateful to the skill and dedication and kindness she has shown every single day at her work.”

WellChild Chief Executive, Matt James said: “There are more children and young people than ever before in the UK living with long-term, serious health needs.

“The WellChild Awards 2022, in association with GSK, will be a unique opportunity to recognise and highlight the immense challenges they have faced and to celebrate the remarkable positivity, resilience and spirit they have demonstrated.

“It will also help us to shine a light on the dedication of those around them, from siblings, professionals and volunteers who have gone above and beyond to help them through such challenging times.”

Scotmid launches search for new charity partner

Charities are being invited by Scotmid to become its new Charity Partner for 2022/23.

The community retailer is looking for an organisation that shares its values and passion for supporting local communities and would like to build a creative and fun partnership to encourage participation and fundraising from staff, members and customers alike.

With a presence in Scotland, Northern England and Northern Ireland, the partnership must be able to span a wide geography.

Over the last 20 years, Scotmid has raised millions of pounds for their Charity Partners, including the Scottish SPCA, Samaritans, ChildLine and Alzheimer Scotland.

John Brodie, Chief Executive of Scotmid, said: “Our Charity Partnerships are incredibly important to us. Partners benefit from both an exceptional level of fundraising and extended support in their cause from our colleagues and communities.

“We are excited to hear about projects that can benefit our communities from new potential charity partners.”

Scotmid’s current Charity Partner is Children’s Hospice Association Scotland, better known as CHAS. Funds raised through the partnership have supported the vital development and expansion of CHAS’s outreach service, CHAS at Home, helping the charity on its ambitious mission of reaching every child and family that needs their help in communities across Scotland.

Three other children’s hospices across Scotmid’s trading areas have also benefited from funds raised: Jigsaw, Northern Ireland Children’s Hospice and St Oswald’s Hospice.

Staff working in Scotmid’s food stores, Semichem stores, Scotmid Funerals and Lakes & Dales stores across Scotland, Northern Ireland and Northern England enthusiastically take part in physical challenges, events and traditional in-store fundraising.

Community engagement is also a key element for Scotmid. At the end of last year, children throughout Scotland were invited to design a mascot to represent Scotmid’s charity partnership.

The winning designs, Cuthbert The Fox and Tildy Toadstool, were then brought to life, much to the delight of the talented designers and those who have met the colourful couple!

Angharad Low, Corporate Partnerships Manager at CHAS, said: “It’s been great working with Scotmid to raise awareness and funds for our outreach service, CHAS at Home.

“The passion of Scotmid colleagues, members and customers makes the partnership really special.

“We’re so thankful for the funds that have been raised, which will help families receive quality care in the comfort of their own homes. We would absolutely recommend other charities apply!”

Kirsteen Campbell, CEO Scottish SPCA, said: “Our 2018/19 partnership with the Scotmid Co-operative family was our most successful charity of the year partnership in Scottish SPCA’s history, raising an incredible £325,000.

“Support from Scotmid colleagues enabled us to deliver our ‘Prevention through Education’ programme delivering workshops to 1818 schools and 124 community groups, reaching over 60% of Scotland’s school children! With Scotmid’s support we were able to spread the joy of the human-animal bond further than ever before.

“We’d encourage all charities to apply for this exciting opportunity to be Scotmid’s next Charity Partner.

“You’ll be combining forces with an incredible organisation who really cares about making a massive difference in local communities What are you waiting for? Apply today!”

To apply to be Scotmid’s Charity of the Year 2022/23, please go to:

https://scotmid.coop/community-and-charity/charity-of-the-year-applications/

Applications are open until 5pm on Friday 6 May 2022.