Tag: Children's Hospices Across Scotland

First-ever Christmas Drive In Movie Night at The Centre for CHAS

The Centre, Livingston, one of Scotland’s largest shopping centres, has announced its Christmas events plan to raise funds and awareness for the children’s charity, Children’s Hospices Across Scotland, (CHAS), which includes its first-ever Christmas ‘Movie Under the Stars Drive-In’ and free festive workshops.

This is the third year the shopping centre has partnered with CHAS, which provides the only hospice services in Scotland for children and young people with life-shortening conditions. Various events over the years have included an Elf Walk and Breakfast with Santa.

This year on the 6th December, The Centre, Livingston is hosting its first-ever Christmas ‘Movies Under The Stars Drive-In’ on the 3rd floor of Car Park 1, featuring the family-favourite film, Elf at 6pm, and the classic romantic comedy, Love Actually at 9pm.

Tickets are £20 per car, plus £1.50 booking fee, and can be purchased at https://thelittleboxoffice.com/skylightcinema/event/view/204923 for Elf and https://thelittleboxoffice.com/skylightcinema/event/view/204925 for Love Actually.

All proceeds will be going to CHAS. Terms & Conditions are on the website, www.thecentrelivingston.com.

Kids will also get the chance to decorate a special bauble, with help from Santa’s Elves, and hang them on the Christmas trees at festive arts and crafts workshops, located near the Post Office. These will run on weekends in the run up to Christmas; 30th November – 1st December, 7th – 8th December and 14th – 15th December, between 11am-4pm.

As part of the charity partnership, CHAS will also be hosting a pop up in the shopping centre on Saturday, 30th November and Sunday, 1st December to raise funds and awareness about the services they offer.

Throughout the festive period shoppers will also be able to make donations at two CHAS contactless pods, located opposite the Post Office and next to the washroom facilities adjacent to Hotel Chocolat, which will be in situ until the end of the year.

Tess Sundberg, Marketing Manager at The Centre, Livingston, said: “We are very excited to launch our Christmas events plan this year, which includes our first Christmas Drive-In Movie Night and free festive arts and crafts, to help raise money for CHAS again.

“This is a charity which is very close to our hearts which is why we like to partner with them at this time of year to help raise funds and even more awareness of the incredible work they are doing. We look forward to welcoming them at their pop up on the last weekend of November.”

Alison Rennie, Community Fundraiser at CHAS, said: “We are very excited to partner with The Centre, Livingston for another magical Christmas season. 

“Their incredible support helps us bring joy, comfort and unforgettable moments to children with life-limiting conditions and their families during the most precious time of the year. Together, we can make a real difference this Christmas, creating memories that will last a lifetime.

“We are really looking forward to hosting our pop up in the shopping centre on Saturday, 30th November and Sunday, 1st December. Visitors can meet our team and learn more about the vital care we provide. We’ll also be selling a range of festive CHAS Christmas merchandise, perfect for gifts, and some of your favourite characters will be there to add to the holiday magic.

“We’ll also be joined by the wonderful Linlithgow Male Choir, who will be entertaining shoppers with carol singing on Saturday, adding to the festive cheer.”

Other activities taking place at The Centre, Livingston include an ‘Advent Calendar Spin the Wheel’, located near Waterstones, where shoppers will get the chance to win various prizes every day from the 1st – 24th December.  

These include a luxury Velvetiser hot chocolate machine from Hotel Chocolat, worth £99.95, a Rituals Gift Set worth £43.90, JBL Headphones from Vodaphone worth £50, a meal for two at wagamama and lots more. Daily updates can be found on The Centre, Livingston social media channels.

www.instagram.com/thecentrelivingston https://www.facebook.com/shopthecentre

Edinburgh coffee company creates perfect blend to raise funds for CHAS

An Edinburgh-based coffee and tea company has created a unique blend of coffee to raise funds for Children’s Hospices Across Scotland (CHAS).

The team at Marchmont’s Red Box Coffee will donate £1 from every kg sold of their new ECHO coffee line to CHAS.

The specially created coffee is made up of beans from Brazil, Guatemala and Ethiopia and has tasting notes of peanuts, caramel and chocolate. The ECHO design has been created in collaboration with CHAS using the charity’s alphabet letter branding and is available to buy in store at Red Box Marchmont (Edinburgh) or online here: https://www.redboxcoffee.com/.

The coffee has already brewed up some local support from Edinburgh law firm Turcan Connell which has signed up as the line’s first wholesale customer. 

Chris Dunstan, Head of Wholesale at Red Box Coffee said: “At Red Box we believe in the power of a good cuppa to uplift and connect. That’s why we’re thrilled to be partnering with CHAS, a charity that brings care and joy to children with life-shortening conditions and their families.

“With every purchase from our ECHO line, we’ll donate £1 per kg directly to CHAS. This contribution will help the charity continue its incredible work, filling the lives of the children and families it supports with laughter, love and joy.

“I recently personally visited Rachel House, one of CHAS’s hospices in Kinross, which is near my own home, and was truly inspired. The staff create a haven of bright colours and joyful moments, even during challenging times. It’s a place where families can find comfort, connection, and extraordinary care.”

CHAS Senior Community Fundraiser, Sarah Dannfald said: “We are so grateful to Chris and the team at Red Box Coffee for choosing to support CHAS in such a unique way and we can’t wait to taste the ECHO coffee and continue this exciting partnership.

“Every penny donated via this coffee will go towards helping the many children with life-shortening conditions we support and their families right across Scotland.”

To find out more about the charity partnership and to buy the ECHO coffee please visit https://www.redboxcoffee.com/

CHAS 2024 Rocking Horse Ball raises £95,000 to help support dying children and their families

Children’s Hospices Across Scotland (CHAS)’s 2024 Rocking Horse Ball, sponsored by Thorntons Solicitors, has raised £95,000 (after costs) to help support children with life-shortening conditions and their families. 

The annual event, which had an Aladdin ’Whole New World’ theme this year, took place at Prestonfield House in Edinburgh on Friday 7 June.

Guests at the event, which is recognised as one of the capital’s most-loved charity dinners, enjoyed a night of wonder with Aladdin-themed games amongst a backdrop of flying carpets and magic lamps.

Comedian and singer Jess Robinson hosted the event, supported by compere Alex Fleming, who entertained guests throughout evening, including during the live auction, while music was provided by Edinburgh band duo BLEEKER. 

Guest of honour at the event was CHAS parent speaker, Andy White from Fife who spoke about the care and support he received from Rachel House hospice in Kinross when his son Leo died in March 2022, aged just six years old.

Leading full-service law firm Thorntons offers a full range of legal services to businesses and private clients across the country, with partners regularly volunteering and raising money for CHAS. Lead partner at the firm’s Edinburgh office, Clare Macpherson, is also a member of the Rocking Horse Ball’s event committee.

Diane Alton, CHAS’s high-profile events manager, said: “We are proud and privileged to have the continued support from Thorntons for a third year for our seventh Rocking Horse Ball. 

“With their very generous sponsorship, we were able to wow our guests from start to finish, creating an incredible and memorable event that raised an incredible £95,000 after costs for CHAS.”

Clare Macpherson 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 this year’s event was yet another success, entertaining all who attended and raising funds for a very important cause. We look forward to continuing our partnership with CHAS and supporting its life-changing work.”

TONIGHT: CHAS Rocking Horse Ball, sponsored by Thorntons Solicitors 

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

The annual event will take place at Prestonfield House in Edinburgh tonight and is recognised as one of the capital’s most-loved charity dinners.

The theme of this year’s Rocking Horse Ball, sponsored by Thorntons, is ‘A Whole New World’ with guests set to enjoy a night of wonder with Aladdin-themed games amongst a backdrop of flying carpets and magic lamps.

Comedian and singer Jess Robinson will return to host the event, supported by compere Alex Fleming, who will entertain guests throughout evening, including during the live auction, while music will be provided by Scottish duo BLEEKER. 

Leading full-service law firm Thorntons offers a full range of legal services to businesses and private clients across the country, with partners regularly volunteering and raising money for CHAS.

Lead partner at the firm’s Edinburgh office, Clare Macpherson, is also a member of the Rocking Horse Ball’s event committee.

Diane Alton, CHAS’s high-profile events manager, said: “We are proud and privileged to have the continued support from Thorntons for a third year for our seventh Rocking Horse Ball. 

“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 sprinkle our magic and take our guests to A Whole New World on the night.”

Clare Macpherson 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 charity provides nationwide hospice services for babies, children and young people with life-shortening conditions at Rachel House in Kinross and Robin House in Balloch while its CHAS at Home service supports families in their own homes.

To purchase tickets to this year’s event please visit:

https://www.chas.org.uk/events/chas-rocking-horse-ball

Amazon Dunfermline Donates to Children’s Charities

THREE Glasgow-based charities have received donations totalling £1,500 from the Amazon fulfilment centre in Dunfermline.

Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity, CHAS and Scot Baby Box Appeal have received £500 each following nominations for support from the team at Amazon in Dunfermline.

Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity supports those who care for and nurture young lives at their most vulnerable. The charity also invests in equipment, research and the continued improvement of facilities and services for children and families in hospital.

Children’s Hospices Across Scotland (CHAS) offers a full family support service for babies, children and young people with life-shortening conditions. Through their hospices, home care services and hospital presence, CHAS provides palliative care, family respite and support. The charity’s hub in Glasgow offers a range of fundraising events such as the Glasgow Lunch and Glasgow Kiltwalk.

Scot Baby Box Appeal, based in Glasgow and Lanarkshire, sends support in the form of pre-loved baby boxes, humanitarian aid and other essential items to those in need in Ukraine.

Jamie Strain, General Manager at Amazon in Dunfermline, said: “I am glad to make donations to these great charities across Glasgow.

“We are passionate supporters of their work in the community and are so pleased to be able to help in any small way.”

Lara MacDonald, Senior Corporate Partnerships Executive from CHAS, said: “We are very grateful to the Amazon team in Dunfermline for their support.

“Their donation is so appreciated here at CHAS. Thank you so much Jamie and the team for your continued support.”

Megan Wright, an employee from Amazon in Dunfermline, added: “All three of these charities provide invaluable services across Scotland and I’m so grateful that we can support them through donations like this.”

Community donations and employee volunteering are just two of the ways Amazon supports the communities where it operates.

Amazon co-founded the Multibank initiative with former UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown to support families in poverty.

The first Multibank, ‘The Big Hoose’, opened in Fife providing surplus essentials like nappies, toilet rolls, toothpaste and school uniforms, donated by Amazon and others, directly to those in need.

The initiative has gone on to donate more than 2 million goods to over 200,000 families across Scotland and Greater Manchester.

Amazon also helps community organisations transport meals and other essentials to families in need through its pro bono logistics programme, Amazon Local Good, including more than seven million healthy breakfasts to children at risk of hunger in partnership with Magic Breakfast.

Amazon partners with Comic Relief to help people tackle poverty and is the official home of the charity’s iconic Red Nose.

Last year, together with its employees, customers, and partners, Amazon raised over £2.7 million to fund projects that support people struggling with the cost-of-living crisis and tackle issues such as homelessness, mental health problems, and food insecurity across the UK, and around the world.

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/.

Classic comics designer supports competition to create a mascot for CHAS & Scotmid partnership

John Hunter Barrie, who worked on many colourful characters over his 38 year career with DC Thomson, is backing Scotmid’s mascot competition for children across Scotland.

The new character will become the face – and hands, feet, horns, fur and who knows what else – of Scotmid’s charity partnership with Children’s Hospices Across Scotland, better known as CHAS.

John has also shot a short drawing masterclass, sharing his top tips and tricks to help children design their friendly, feel-good mascot.

The winning entrant will see their design brought to life.  They will also receive a framed print of their character, £200 of fundraising vouchers for their school/group, a CHAS and Scotmid goody bag with exclusive mascot merchandise.

As well as increasing awareness of the incredible work carried out by CHAS, Scotmid aims to raise £350,000 for the charity during the 2021/2022 partnership.

Shirley MacGillivray, Head of Membership and Community at Scotmid said: “The Scotmid and CHAS mascot competition is such an exciting opportunity.

 “I used to love competitions like this when I was little and we’re so excited to see the wonderful designs. We look forward to having the winning mascot by our side at charity events.”

For nearly thirty years, CHAS has been offering full family support service for babies, children and young people with life-shortening conditions.

Each week, three children die from an incurable condition in Scotland, and the need for CHAS’ services on the rise.

There are currently more than 16,700 families across Scotland living with the constant fear and heartbreak that their child might die young.

Nicky Bridges, Associate Director of Outreach at CHAS, said: “This is a great opportunity to not only get kids involved in charity work, but to raise awareness of our charity partnership with Scotmid.

“We are so grateful to Scotmid for helping CHAS reach families across Scotland, even those in the most remote parts, and enable us to provide essential care to those who need it.  The creation of this character is a further demonstration of the huge efforts made by Scotmid and we are extremely grateful for that.”

The competition will end on 24th September 2020.

Children can submit their entries to competition@scotmid.co.uk or send to Mascot Competition, Scotmid Coop, Hillwood House, Newbridge, EH28 8QJ

Full details and terms & conditions: https://scotmid.coop/charactercompetition/