Bob Doris, SNP MSP for Glasgow, visited Children’s Hospice Association Scotland’s (CHAS) exhibition stand in the Scottish Parliament on Thursday 27 October when he took time out to show support for the charity.

Mr Doris spoke to CHAS staff and heard about the work of the charity that provides the only hospice services for children, young people and their families, throughout Scotland.

Mr Doris said: "I was privileged to chat to the Children's Hospice Association and to find out more about the job they do during what is an immensely difficult and distressing time for children and families. Their hospice facilities at Robin House in Balloch and Rachel House in Kinross provide invaluable support for families.

“I look forward to visiting Robin House to learn more about the services they provide and to pay tribute to staff for the incredibly difficult job they do."

Maria McGill, CHAS Chief Executive said, “Holding a CHAS exhibition at the Scottish Parliament has become one of the annual highlights in our calendar as it gives us the opportunity to speak face to face with influential MSPs and directly tell them about the vital services we provide to families. We currently help over 250 families across Scotland who are facing the reality that their child’s life will be short. CHAS provides a lifeline for those families by giving them somewhere to turn for much needed, care, support and respite."

Children’s Hospice Association Scotland (CHAS) is a charity that provides the only hospice services in Scotland for children and young people with life-shortening conditions.

CHAS runs two children’s hospices, Rachel House in Kinross and Robin House in Balloch. The hospices support the whole family by offering short planned breaks, emergency support, end of life care and a range of bereavement services.

CHAS also provides a home care service, called CHAS at Home, staffed from both hospices and with a dedicated team in the North of Scotland. The service offers care to families in their own homes when they need it most.

CHAS supports over 250 families, as well as a significant number of families who receive bereavement support. The services are funded mainly through the generosity of the many supporters who help raise over £7 million needed each year to provide these vital hospice services.

Visit CHAS at www.chas.org.uk