CHAS is aiming to ensure no-one faces the death of a child alone
A charity has launched its biggest ever appeal as it looks to provide vital support to families this Christmas.
Children’s Hospices Across Scotland (CHAS) has said people are facing Christmas apart this year but for families with a dying child, spending Christmas alone and without support is lonely and frightening. Now more than ever, the charity says it is determined to reach every single child who needs help and ensure that no one has to deal with this terrifying heartbreak alone.
The CHAS Christmas appeal, which includes a radio advert and the charity’s first-ever television advert, is launching Scotland-wide and hopes to build on the success of their summer campaign that saw Scots stand with those in greatest need. The powerful advert depicts the grief faced by families whose children die young, and features a real hospice nurse that works for the charity.
Jaxon Stars from Aberdeen was just one of the children supported by CHAS. Jaxon was born just two days before Christmas Day in 2016 with a rare form of epilepsy called Otahara Syndrome, and a neurodegenerative disorder called Pontocerebellar Hypoplasia. The tiny tot was missing part of his brain, and he would suffer from seizures.
Jaxon’s mum Lisa, said: “As soon as Jaxon was born, the joy I felt quickly turned to fear. Instead of spending his first Christmas at home with his brother Antony, my beautiful baby spent the first four months of his short life in hospital. Thankfully, this was where CHAS stepped in.”
When in hospital, Lisa was told about CHAS at Home and Rachel House, where the family could go for some respite by a CHAS nurse, Val Sullivan who helped look after Jaxon until the day he died.
Lisa continued: “In November 2017, Jaxon became very unwell. Thankfully, with CHAS just a phone call away, he could spend Christmas at home and not in hospital.
“That Christmas with Jaxon was just magical. We had a colourful tree, silly Christmas jumpers, tinsel and lots of sparkles. Jaxon got lots of Christmas cuddles from us all, and we had so much fun together. It was so special because the previous Christmas, I hadn’t been allowed to hold my new-born baby, or even touch him in his incubator.
Sadly, Jaxon died on 9 February 2018, aged just 13 months old.
Lisa said: “I was so glad to be at Rachel House when Jaxon died. We were among family. They understood my heartache and helped me find strength to pick myself back up again.
“But there are still so many families like mine, facing the death of their child alone. I can’t imagine how desperately difficult that must be. My baby Jaxon was the most special Christmas gift imaginable and when the time came to let him go, I wasn’t alone.”
Recent research shows there over 16,700 babies, children and young people in Scotland living with a life-shortening condition. The charity has an ambitious mission to reach every family going through the terrifying heartbreak of seeing their child die young.
Throughout the pandemic, the charity has had to dramatically transform the way in which it operates. CHAS launched the first ever virtual children’s hospice in March, and Rachel House in Kinross and Robin House in Balloch continue to provide end of life care. CHAS at Home nurses have never been in greater demand supporting families who are having to self-isolate or stay at home.
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.
Iain McAndrew, director of fundraising and communications at CHAS, said: “This campaign marks the biggest we’ve ever launched and given the challenges of this year, one of the most important. The pandemic has seen our income decrease, with so many of our traditional fundraising activities cancelled, whilst the need for our services is increasing. We’ve had to adapt our services and adapt fast. None of this would have been possible without our supporters who give love and strength to those in greatest need.
“This Christmas, we are calling on everyone who can to support Scotland’s most vulnerable children and help keep the joy alive even in the face of death.”
To support CHAS this Christmas, visit the website or call 0800 171 2427.
