© 2023 Children's Hospices Across Scotland
Children’s Hospices Across Scotland (known as CHAS) is a Scottish charity, SC019724, regulated by the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR).
CHAS is a company limited by guarantee and is registered in Scotland, SC136410. VAT Registration number 214 8303 34.
Registered Office: Head Office, Canal Court, 42 Craiglockhart Avenue, Edinburgh EH14 1LT.
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could pay for a child to enjoy a storytelling session with their family.
could pay for an activity pack for a child, and their siblings, to make memories together.
could pay for a family to access a bereavement support session delivered by phone. Your gift would provide a vital lifeline for families grieving the death of their child.
In 2020 we commissioned a study, CHiSP3, which told us that 3.9% of children from a South Asian background living in Scotland have a life-shortening condition. Those from a South Asian background are more likely to have a life-shortening condition than those from a white background. As a charity committed to reaching every child in Scotland with a life-shortening condition, we have launched this Ramadan campaign in an effort to raise awareness of CHAS within the Muslim South Asian communities in Scotland.
In 2019, we published our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Strategy which outlines our resolution to make CHAS a more equal and equitable, diverse and inclusive place to work, volunteer, support, and access care from. In line with this Strategy, our Ramadan campaign aims to both diversify our supporter base and offer more inclusive fundraising and donating opportunities to Muslim people and communities living in Scotland.
Put simply, the more awareness of CHAS that we can raise and the more donations we receive, the more vital care we can provide to families in Scotland who need us.
Is this a Zakat fund?
No, this is not a Zakat fund. We are asking supporters for voluntary donations, or Sadaqah, to ensure that children and families who need our help can receive that vital care.
Where will my donation be going?
For every £1 donated, £0.76 will go towards providing medical and end-of-life care, respite, and support to dying children and their families all across Scotland. £0.24 will be spent on fundraising and governance of the charity to ensure that we can continue to be there for the children and families who need us.
You can read more about our income and spending in our 2021-22 Annual Report.
Will the funds be restricted to only Muslim families?
We are unable to restrict funds to Muslim families. As is our mission statement, the funds raised through this campaign will go towards providing care and support to every child with a life-shortening condition in Scotland, and their family, who needs help, regardless of who they are or their background.
How have Muslims been involved in the creation of this campaign?
Muslim families, staff, volunteers and partners were consulted with extensively ahead of the launch of this campaign. One CHAS parent said of the campaign:
“We think it is great that CHAS is running a Ramadan campaign and also hosting a party in the hospices for Eid in recognition of the many Muslim families supported by the charity. It is also a nice way of introducing them to each other.”
Another said:
“I think it’s great that CHAS is doing a Ramadan campaign as it’s a good way of connecting with many Muslim families they support and also bringing them together.”
I know someone who could benefit from CHAS’s services. How can they get a referral?
We have an online referral form. We’ll collect details about the child’s condition and their palliative care needs and make a decision on whether our care is right for them based on our referral criteria.
As a charity committed to reaching every child in Scotland with a life-shortening condition, this Ramadan we are striving to raise funds and awareness of CHAS within Muslim South Asian communities across Scotland.
Families like Sabeel’s.
Baby Sabeel, lovingly nicknamed Beeli Bear, was born in 2002 with Pompe disease, a condition which causes muscle weakness and difficulty breathing.
After three years in and out of hospital, Sabeel and her family started visiting one of the CHAS hospices, Robin House in the West of Scotland, for medical and respite care. CHAS nurses and doctors were on hand to take care of Sabeel while mum Saiqa could spend much-needed time with her sons Ali and Faraz.
Your donations can fund medical and end-of-life care.
“Without the help of staff from CHAS, I would have struggled to move on in life without my princess. Not a day goes by that I wish I still had Sabeel by my side. I miss her so much.
Robin House were a big part of my world and always will be. I will never forget what they have done for my family over the years. God bless them, our angels without wings.”
Saiqa, Sabeel’s mum
Your donations enable families to visit one of our hospices, Robin and Rachel House, or receive a visit from our CHAS at Home Team to their home. These visits give dying children and their families a chance to spend the time they have together, no matter how short, in the best way possible.
“If we were in Robin House during Ramadan, it was really good because all the activities were based around Ramadan. We all made Eid cards and we also made some traditional sweets. I remember it was coconut balls with condensed milk. We also made decorations and talked about the story behind Ramadan and why we celebrate Eid."
Saiqa - Sabeel's mother
Saiqa said:
“The staff did their best to comfort me under the circumstances and Amanda, the Chaplain, arranged everything we needed from the death certificate to speaking to the mosque.”
To make a donation via phone, please call us on 0141 779 6180,
or text 2023RAMADAN to 70450 to give £10.
Texts cost the donation amount plus one standard network rate message.