The charity aims to offer support to every child with terminal illness in Scotland.
Children’s Hospices Across Scotland (Chas) has launched a campaign urging Scots to help dying children and their families enjoy precious moments together.
The national children’s hospice charity has been caring for Scotland’s most vulnerable children throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, making sure that the limited time they have left together with their families is the best it can be.
Its new campaign aims to ensure the charity can reach every single child and family who need help by raising funds for vital services across Scotland.
Four-year-old Jayden Easdale is one child supported by the charity though its Chas at Home service and Rachel House hospice in Kinross. Jayden, who has also benefited from the charity’s recently launched virtual hospice service, suffers from Tay Sachs Disease, a rare, incurable condition. He is currently shielding with his family at their home in Fraserburgh.
Lynn, Jayden’s mother, said: “The doctors said Jayden might only live until he was four but he’s a wee fighter and this March he marked his fourth birthday. We hope and pray he will make his fifth birthday too but we also have to face the fact that he might not.
“Before the pandemic, Jayden went to Rachel House for regular stays which he absolutely loved. It feels like a holiday each time we go. Jayden is spoiled rotten by all the staff – everyone is so friendly. The virtual hospice service has been nothing short of amazing and a real lifeline for us all while we have been shielding.”
Chas, which supports over 450 families like Jayden’s across Scotland, is committed to making sure every moment spent together is filled with as much happiness and joy as possible. With many events and fundraisers cancelled, the charity needs support more than ever to maintain its vital services to families across Scotland and achieve its ambitious goal of reaching every child in Scotland who is living with a life-shortening condition.
Iain McAndrew, the charity’s director of fundraising and communications, said: “Coronavirus has taken time away from being able to spend it with those we love the most but the vulnerable children that we support have even less time, and every single moment is precious. That’s why we’re launching this campaign – to help families like Jayden’s.
“The Chas virtual hospice service that your incredible generosity is making possible is already making a tremendous difference to Scotland's most vulnerable children and their families - it is so deeply appreciated. We need your support more than ever to keep the joy alive and reach even more families who need our help.”
