More celebrities have pledged to ‘get their geek on’ for a new charity fundraising campaign.
Current Doctor Who Jodie Whittaker has joined ranks with Golden Globe winner Brian Cox and Star Wars legend Ewan McGregor to support an imminent nationwide appeal for Children’s Hospices Across Scotland (CHAS).
As part of the Share Your Joy campaign, on Monday (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 supporters around the country 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 order to help support the ongoing physical and new virtual 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 share their efforts online and donate just £3 by texting ‘Geeky 3’ to 70450.
Laura Campbell, community fundraising development Manager at CHAS, said: “We are bowled over by the attention this appeal has had so far. We’ve had support from schools, universities, workplaces, sport teams, political figures, people from the film, TV and music world, and most importantly the CHAS families this is all for.
“It means a lot to have backing from Jodie, Brian and Ewan to seriously highlight our position. We hope people from all over Scotland, and perhaps even further afield, are able to join in on the day and maybe take part in our Big Geeky Quiz at 8pm on Facebook Live, which will feature guest questions from a few famous faces. We’ve got Jedi legends, legendary X-Wing pilots, White Walkers, Disney princesses, Power Rangers… it’s about to get nerdy!”
On the evening of 4 May, the quiz will be hosted by CBeebies actor James Mackenzie, who has gone on a Saharan trek and been heavily involved in fundraising for the charity throughout the last year. Questions will come from Ewan McGregor and many other figures from the worlds of Star Wars, Disney and beyond.
Now in its third year, support for last year’s Geeky T-Shirt day came from a trio of Scottish greats: Peter Capaldi, Brian Cox and Billy Boyd. 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.
Like many other charities left reeling from the Covid-19 pandemic, CHAS has had to dramatically transform the way in which it provides its increasingly important services. They have set up Scotland’s first ever virtual hospice to support children and families who are having to completely self-isolate.
The virtual hospice is now four weeks in, 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.
