Supporting children and families across Scotland

In 2020 Community Windpower and BeGreen Dunbar’s £255,000 Covid-19 crisis fund supported Children’s Hospices Across Scotland (CHAS), with a donation of £3,000.

The money was used to pay for a Child and Family Worker for one month. They reach out to families by phone and online, meaning they are supported in the best way possible during this uncertain and isolating time.

And, in 2021 with fundraising activities curtailed for the foreseeable future and the charity expecting to lose more than 40% of its income in the last 12 months, Community Windpower and BeGreen are once again providing vital funds of £3,000 for CHAS.

Once again the donation will fund a Child and Family worker; someone who is a lifeline for CHAS families. They are trained professionals providing emotional and practical advice for families looking after a child with a terminal illness who are isolating at home.

They are able to provide entertainment to the child and siblings such as Zoom calls from clown doctors or activities to get involved in, meaning parents can have a much-needed break.

CHAS have been offering a full family support service for babies, children and young people with life-shortening conditions, for more than twenty years.

The charity relies heavily on fundraising events and without them they are unable to reach all of the 16,000 children in Scotland that currently have a life shortening condition.

Sarah Dannfald, community fundraiser at CHAS, said: “Our Child and Family workers are able to provide comfort to children families, making sure they are not alone, which is why we’re so grateful to the continued support from Community Windpower and BeGreen.

“Many of our children frequently require hospital or hospice admissions due to their condition so this is a particularly worrying time for parents.

“Our team can also provide financial advice on appropriate funding for parents who may have a reduced income.

“Indeed, many of our families have been struggling financially during the pandemic and are turning to foodbanks.

“CHAS are trying to support these families as best they can by sending out care packages as well as signposting to other organisations which may be able to provide additional help.

“The additional funding from Community Windpower and BeGreen really helps us continue to provide support to children and their families at a time when they need it most.”

Diane Wood, community benefits director at Community Windpower, which owns and operates the Aikengall Community Wind Farms in East Lothian, said: “The children CHAS look after are some of our society’s most vulnerable, particularly during this Covid-19 pandemic.

“They are the only hospice provider for children in Scotland and have been greatly impacted by Covid-19 crisis, so we were quick to provide a further £3,000 to enable CHAS to continue supporting children and their families during some of the darkest and most isolated time of their lives.

“The work CHAS does, including palliative care, respite and support, through hospices, homecare and hospital presence, is brilliant and very much needed; we hope our funding can provide the right help to those in most need.”

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