The charity has said the cost of living crisis is hitting their families hard.
Children’s Hospices Across Scotland (CHAS) has launched its 2022 festive fundraising appeal, urging Scots to support dying children and their families this Christmas amidst the ongoing cost of living crisis.
Despite their incredible resilience, many CHAS families have to contend with being forced out of work to care for their children; deal with the daily struggle to pay for fuel to attend various medical appointments; and live in fear of blackouts as well as deal with the soaring costs of food and energy bills.
Every week, three children in Scotland die from a life-shortening condition and now, more than ever before, CHAS is determined to reach every single child who needs their help, ensuring that no-one faces the death of their child alone.
This year’s Christmas appeal powerfully depicts the heartbreak faced by families whose children die young and highlights the urgency to raise funds to provide this crucial care.
Monica Currie, CHAS’s family income maximisation officer: “Christmas is a daunting time for many CHAS families. This year many families have not had the time and capacity to think about the festive period because they are focused on how to pay their bills. For many, Christmas memory making will have to wait until next year.
“Working families who are not in receipt of benefits are particularly worried about the cost of living crisis and the challenges they face to reduce their energy bills: humidifiers, suction machines, ventilators, oxygen concentrators all use up a tremendous amount of electricity and it’s not something that can be rationed.
Families have also mentioned the risk of ‘blackouts/power cuts’ and the threat of their energy being cut off if they can’t pay their bills. This is incredibly frightening.
“In the run up to Christmas, many families are likely to experience further financial hardship so we are calling on anyone who is in a position to donate to do so to help us fulfil our aim of supporting all children and families across Scotland who need our help.”
“Donations to this year’s appeal will enable families who have a child with a life-shortening condition to benefit from respite breaks at the charity’s Robin and Rachel House hospices and for children and siblings to enjoy making Christmas memories together including meeting Santa.
“Crucially, donations will also enable the work of the CHAS Family Income Maximisation Team. This team ensures that families are receiving all the benefits and support that they are entitled to, and can apply for additional funding for families to meet their specific needs.”
