Vital support for children's hospice movement
Oscar-winning actress, Tilda Swinton is leading a stellar cast of Scottish stars in supporting Children’s Hospices Across Scotland’s Christmas 2020 campaign.
The A-list film star, who lives in Nairn, said it was “truly her pleasure” to back the charity’s biggest ever festive fundraising appeal in a personal message in which she also thanked CHAS for all the work it does supporting children with life-shortening conditions.
Other well-known Scottish faces backing the campaign include singer, Sharleen Spiteri and River City actors Stephen Purdon (AKA Shell Suit Bob), Sanjeev Kohli, Frances Thorburn, Gayle Telfer-Stevens, Michael Wallace and Sean Connor.In her message to CHAS, Tilda (60), who has starred in a long list of blockbusters including the Chronicles of Narnia films and Avengers: Endgame, indicated she would like to visit CHAS in person someday.
Wearing a CHAS T-shirt and posing with her beloved pet spaniel, Louis, she said: “Here is Louis and me sending everyone at CHAS an ENORMOUS cloud of kisses and cuddles. With our love, support and thanks for all you do. I look forward to the time when we can come and deliver our hugs and kisses in person.”
Sharleen Spiteri also paid tribute to CHAS in a special video message and urged people to consider donating to the charity this Christmas
The Texas star said: “The festive season looks different for everyone this year but for dying children, time is simply running out and families across Scotland are dealing with this terrible heartbreak alone. CHAS wants to reach every single family who needs their help now more than ever. This is where you come in. Please help keep the joy alive for these children and families in the hardest of times by donating today.”
This year’s CHAS Christmas campaign is the charity’s biggest yet and features an emotive TV advert which depicts the grief families face when their children die young.
Iain McAndrew, Director of Fundraising and Communications at CHAS, said: “We are extremely grateful to Tilda, Sharleen and the River City cast for backing our Christmas campaign at a time when we have never needed support more.
“The pandemic has seen our income decrease, with so many of our traditional fundraising activities cancelled, whilst the need for our services is increasing. That is why, this Christmas, we are calling on everyone who can to donate, if they can, to help keep the joy alive for Scotland’s most vulnerable children and their families.
“We are thrilled Tilda has said she would like to visit CHAS and look forward to welcoming her to our hospices one day where she can meet our children, families and staff in person and see the work we do first-hand.”
Recent research shows there are over 16,700 babies, children and young people in Scotland living with a life-shortening condition. The charity is on an ambitious mission to reach every single family going through the terrifying heartbreak of seeing their child die young.
Throughout the pandemic, CHAS has had to dramatically transform the way in which it operates. In March, the charity launched the first ever virtual children’s hospice, and Rachel House in Kinross and Robin House in Balloch continue to provide end of life care as well as CHAS at Home which operates across Scotland.
Through its virtual hospice, CHAS families are offered extensive support by phone and video on clinical guidance, financial advice and bereavement support. The charity’s dedicated family support teams also offer a range of interactive activities, art clubs, storytelling and friendship calls to children and parents.
