Alison Rennie - Children's Hospice Association Scotland

CHAS IS MAKING A DIFFERENCE

As members of the Bridge of Allan and Dunblane Rotary Club gathered for their regular weekly meeting, they saw the Club photographer assemble tennis racquets, plastic ducks and red balloons around the Club banner. The question on members’ minds was how does this motley collection of objects relate to the Club?  The answer wasn’t long in coming: the evening’s speaker was Alison Rennie, Fund Raiser for the Children’s Hospice Association Scotland (CHAS), the connection being that two of the events mounted by the Club in support of CHAS are the Club’s annual Duck Race, held as part of the Dunblane Fling, and the Judy Murray Mini Tennis Cups which takes place later this month. 

That resolved, and the meal concluded, the President Elect, Nick Rawlings, invited John Kilby to report on the Club’s crepe making at the Bridge of Allan Highland Games.  John thanked those involved for their support in what had been a long and busy day.  315 crepes had been sold raising £920 – a new record.

Following John’s report, President Elect Nick presented Alison with a cheque for CHAS for £4,000,which had been raised in the Duck Race.  He then invited Alison to address the Club.

Alison expressed sincere thanks to the Club for the cheque which would be most helpful in contributing to the ongoing expenses of CHAS.  She reflected with gratitude that with this latest donation the amount which the Club has given CHAS in the recent past exceeds £60,000.  This was an amazing contribution which, she said, was deeply appreciated.

Alison then reported on recent developments in CHAS’s support for children and young people with life-shortening conditions and their families.  This support now includes, for the first time, help for families whose babies have been diagnosed pre-birth with a life-shorting condition.  CHAS is now able to prepare families for such a harrowing situation, both prior to and immediately following birth, when the infant might not survive beyond a few days. 

CHAS’s support has also typically included young people up to 21 years of age.  However, advances in medical care now mean that young people with life-shortening conditions can often live longer than a few years ago. Consequently, CHAS had found it difficult to cope with the extended care required.  A major grant from Big Lottery means that the team is now able to extend care beyond age 21.

At any one time CHAS is supporting some 370 families.  In addition to the work at its two hospices, Robin House and Rachel House, this now includes being able to give end-of-life care at home, and provide a night-sitting service which offers some relief to parents who are giving 24 hour care to their child.  Such care, together with the inevitable demands for maintenance and refurbishment of Robin House and Rachel House, requires £25,000 per day.  While there is a degree of support from local authorities, the ongoing pressure for care is such that support from Rotary and other groups as well as from the general public is vital.  The Club’s contribution helps give CHAS the wherewithal to continue this vital work in the community.

Speaker’s Host, Paddy Holmes, thanked Alison for bringing the Club members up to date with the new developments in the care CHAS is able to provide for children, young people and their families.  Paddy said that Alison had brought home the importance of seemingly small things which make an enormous difference to the patient or families, for example a family being able to cuddle and bath their newborn baby in the few days of his or her short life.  She said that the Club is privileged to be able to help CHAS provide an unsurpassed level of care and it hopes to continue to do so for many years in the future.