CHILDREN’S Hospice Association Scotland creates happy memories for families, so said their South of Scotland fundraiser Kirsten Dugan in an emotive talk to members and Galashiels and District Rotary Club.

CHAS provides residential care for children with serious illnesses and their families in the hospices in Kinross and Balloch. This might be short term for respite or go on for several weeks.

In the past year, they have helped 300 families which adds up to 10,000 bed nights. Each hospice has eight child beds and the same amount of family accommodation, with seven beds normally used and one kept for emergencies such as a child or carer being ill.

The hospices are relaxing, colourful and decorated with pictures made by the children. There are always activities going on, for the ill children and their siblings who are also staying there.

A stay in the hospice gives parents and their other children a chance to rest and have a more normal life, tailored to their needs but with the ill child being cared for by hospice staff.

CHAS also has a home care service where staff visit children at home. This is especially useful in rural areas and there are regular visits to families in the Borders.

In the Beat the Borders charity event in August, 300 people took part in a gruelling 40 mile cycle and 18 mile walk around the central Borders and CHAS hope to repeat the event every year.

Rotary has offered to help with this or other events locally and to raise awareness of the work of CHAS – look out for more information here and on our website!