CHAS' annual celebration on 4 May is set to return
As part of a nationwide appeal for Children’s Hospices Across Scotland – better known as CHAS – the charity is calling upon fans from across the ‘geeky’ multiverse to unite for the fourth Geeky T-Shirt Day.
In order to help support the variety of hospice services provided to CHAS families, who are dealing with the most difficult of circumstances at the most impossible of times, participants are encouraged to simply wear their passion on a t-shirt. Whether it’s a band, movie, motto or cartoon, don your shirt, get the family involved and share your efforts using the #MayThe4thBeWithCHAS hashtag, then donate £4 by texting ‘Geeky 4’ to 70450.
Ambassadors for the annual event have previously included the likes of Star Wars icon Ewan McGregor, Doctor Who favourites Peter Capaldi and Jodie Whittaker, Golden Globe winner Brian Cox and a power of guests from across the world of sci-fi and fantasy cinema and TV.
Emma Gartland, Community Fundraiser at CHAS, said: “We continue to be blown away by how far this appeal can travel and the way that so many different communities have rallied round to support it. The message is universal – friends, family and community are crucial to us all right now and May the Fourth has become a day when we remind CHAS children and families that we walk with them.
“If people feel they’re in a place to donate, to help sustain the clinical and social services our hospice, home and hospital teams continue to provide in the face of this current reality, we would be immensely grateful for the support.
What is Geeky T-Shirt Day?
On Tuesday 4 May, CHAS is encouraging the public to show allegiance to their favourite science-fiction, fantasy, cartoon or musical hero and by virtue the charity itself, by digging out their favourite ‘geeky t-shirt’ to wear on the day. Thousands of the charity’s supporters around the country will also have a CHAS shirt in the cupboard from a past or postponed event; CHAS asks them to wear it with pride for the day and share it with the hashtag #MayThe4thBeWithCHAS.
In 2020, current Doctor Who Jodie Whittaker joined forces with Ewan McGregor and Golden Globe winner Brian Cox to highlight the current situation faced by the charity and drummed up international support for the awareness day and fundraiser. It has since captured the imagination of genre fans, CHAS supporters, politicians, entertainers and the public at large.
The funds and awareness raised by the online event will help CHAS on its mission to reach every single baby, child and young person who needs them, despite the current situation.
In response to the Covid-19 pandemic, CHAS has dramatically transformed its increasingly important services by setting up Scotland’s first ever virtual hospice to support children and families who are having to completely self-isolate.
The virtual hospice has now been running for a full year, offering families extensive support, whether it relates to clinical guidance, financial advice or bereavement support, by video and phone. CHAS family support teams are also offering an expanding range of interactive activities, art clubs, storytelling and conference calls to children and parents, with more in the pipeline.
Although stringent measures are in currently place to safeguard families, those needing urgent physical and end of life care are still welcome at the hospice, where staff work tirelessly to provide children with the palliative assistance they need.
