SCOTS STAR IN MOVIE PLEA FOR CHAS - 20 AUGUST 2008
Hollywood actor Ewan McGregor is starring in a series of inspiring short films to raise awareness of the work of CHAS (Children's Hospice Association Scotland), which provides hospice services for children and young people who are not expected to live to adulthood. Scots born Ewan, who starred in Star Wars and the Long Way Down, is filmed alongside children, young people, and families who use the hospices at Robin House in Balloch, Rachel House in Kinross and CHAS at Home, which provides hospice services to families in their own homes.
The films are part of a campaign to increase public awareness of children's hospices and the services they provide. These services include not only one-to-one, respite and medical care 24-hours a day, but also love and support for families and lots of play and activities for young people with life-limiting illnesses and their brothers and sisters. Speaking of his visit to Robin House last year, Ewan said: "Like many people, before I visited the hospice I had this notion that children's hospices are sad places. Nothing could be further from the truth. Robin House, Rachel House and CHAS at Home are all about improving the quality of life for children, young people and their families. They are vibrant life affirming retreats. They are a wonderfully enriching celebration of every child and young person's potential and of life itself however short it may be.
"The aim of CHAS is to enable families to enjoy their time together and share precious memories. The emphasis is on the positive and the here and now. They provide first class care for the child while at the same time giving mums, dads, brothers, sisters and grandparents the opportunity to relax, re-charge their batteries and have a break."Mf
Ewan, a long time supporter of the charity who gives his time for free, also calls on the public to support CHAS either by donating money, fundraising or volunteering to work for CHAS. CHAS needs more than £5 million a year to run hospice services. The majority of this is raised through donations from the public. It also relies on over 900 volunteers who gave over 79,000 hours worth of time last year. This is equivalent to a donation of over £1 million to the charity. Volunteers help in a variety of roles including working in the kitchen, gardening, cleaning and administration. Teenagers from the local area also volunteer as Young Befrienders, spending time with young people at Rachel House.
Ewan added: "This money not only provides highly qualified staff but also state-of-the-art facilities for children and young people such as a Jacuzzi and hydrotherapy pool, so those who are in wheelchairs or bedridden can get exercise, and a "Snoezelen® Room" to give sensory stimulation in a safe relaxing environment. "It's amazing to think that everything the hospices do is made possible by donations. Which is why, any help, big or small, a gift of money or your time, can make such a big difference. The volunteers at CHAS are so humble. They have endless enthusiasm, they want to help, learn new skills and make a difference."
Mum, Caroline Anderson, who has used the hospice since it opened in 1992 for her two sons Gregor (17) who has Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy and Gary, who died of the condition, said: "The hospice is my heaven on earth. It's where I come to be me, knowing that Gregor is happy and getting cared for. It's just such a brilliant place. You might come in thinking that everything is going so bad but it actually lifts your spirit and you leave the place with a smile because it's fantastic." Ciaran Pocock (17) from Glenrothes, who also has Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy appears in the film: "A Young Person's Perspective", where teenagers who use Rachel House and Robin House give an insight into life at the hospices.
He said: "Some people think that because I'm in a wheelchair I can't do things like other teenagers, but I can. I love coming to Rachel House as they have special activities for teenagers such as going to cinema, a concert or a football match or just watching DVDs and computer games in the teenage den. It's a fun place to be, the people are happy and it's nice and relaxed. Brothers and sisters can also stay over so it's great for all the families."
Roslyn Neely, Director of Fundraising and Communications at CHAS said "We are eternally grateful to Ewan McGregor, the children and families, supporters, volunteers and staff who enabled us to make these short films. We plan to use them to raise awareness of life in a children's hospice by showing them to schools and youth groups, at speaking engagements and fundraising events. We will also show them to health care professionals to encourage them to refer more families to the hospice. Families who have a child with a life limiting illness but are apprehensive about using a hospice will also be shown the films. I believe that through these films we have shown that hospices and the people who use them are hugely positive and the children and young people in particular are an inspiration to us all."
If you would like to support CHAS please call 0131 444 1900 or go to www.chas.org.uk.
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Copies of the DVDs and still pictures of Ewan McGregor and families are available from CHAS. For further information please contact Maureen McAlpine on 07710746690 or Roslyn Neely on 0131 444 4006
Notes to editors:
Ewan McGregor appears in six of the eight films CHAS has produced. These are CHAS - A Short Film; About CHAS; CHAS Volunteers; CHAS - A Young Person's Perspective; Robin House; Rachel House; CHAS at Home and CHAS - Working with Health Professionals. The Children's Hospice Association Scotland (CHAS) is a Scottish charity established to provide hospice services in Scotland for children with life-limiting conditions.A children's hospice offers professional care, practical help and emotional support to the whole family usually from the day they are referred until the death of their child and beyond.Rachel House, Scotland's first children's hospice, opened in Kinross in March 1996. Robin House in Balloch opened in August 2005. Both hospices are purpose-built and each provides ongoing support for up to 200 families across Scotland each year. The CHAS at Home Team offers support to families across Scotland by providing a home care service to families in their own homes when they need it.
Article posted: 20/08/2008