CHAS launches £20m appeal

Children’s Hospices Across Scotland (CHAS) has launched a £20m national appeal aimed at transforming palliative care for young people with life‑shortening conditions.

The “More Than a Hospice” campaign seeks to rebuild Rachel House in Kinross, renew Robin House in Balloch, and strengthen specialist support delivered in hospitals and family homes. CHAS says demand for its services has risen sharply, with hospice stays increasing by 45% over the past three years as more children live longer with complex medical needs.

Chief executive Rami Okasha said the appeal was a call for Scotland to “rebuild, renew and reimagine” children’s palliative care, ensuring families have genuine choice and support at the most difficult moments.

“We are excited to launch More Than a Hospice, a £20 million appeal to transform how Scotland cares for babies, children and young people with life shortening conditions, and the families who love them. The appeal comes at a critical time for children’s palliative care.

“Stays at CHAS hospices have increased by 45% over the past three years, reflecting growing demand as medical advances mean more children are living longer with complex, life shortening conditions.

“Every week, in Scotland, three children die from an incurable condition. CHAS is there for families at every step of this hardest of journeys – in our hospices, in hospitals and at home.”

The charity hopes the public will back the appeal to secure long‑term, modernised services for future generations.

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