Trustees Week – introducing the new CHAS Trustees

Our committed and passionate trustees are responsible for the general governance and oversight of all of the work at CHAS. Through their expertise and the business needs of the organisation, our Trustees provide invaluable insight and guidance.

Employment Law Solicitor Gillian Donald, Financial Operations Analyst Faraz Hussain and International Compliance Specialist Sophia Salim, all joined CHAS this year, and each has personal connections to the charity.

Gillian’s son Fin, who suffered from a rare degenerative peroxisomal disorder called D-Bifunctional Protein Deficiency, was supported by our CHAS at Home service. As Fin’s care needs escalated, Gillian and her family received “invaluable support” from the Aberdeen CHAS at Home team as well as CHAS Diana Children’s Nurse, Louise Esson and palliative care consultant, Dr Fiona Herd. It was thanks to this care that 11-year-old Fin was able to pass away peacefully at home in his own bed on 22 May 2020.

Gillian, said of her new appointment: “I have experienced the immense heartache and significant challenges that families facing the death of their child go through.

“The support that CHAS provides during this awful time, whether in the family home, hospital or in a hospice, really does make a huge difference. I am therefore delighted to be appointed as a trustee of this amazing charity and am very committed to being able to support CHAS in ensuring every child and family who needs their help can access it.”

CHAS also holds a special place in the heart of Faraz Hussain from Glasgow whose sister Sabeel died in Robin House children’s hospice in Balloch two years ago.

Sabeel, who was 17 when she died, suffered from Pompe disease, a rare condition that prevents the body from making a protein that breaks down a complex sugar, called glycogen, for energy.

Faraz is also linked to CHAS through his work at Morgan Stanley, which formed a charity partnership with the charity in 2021. The company aims to raise £180,000 for CHAS, which will be instrumental in the development of its bereavement support service for children across Scotland who have a sibling with a life-shortening condition; supporting every child to flourish beyond bereavement.

He said: “Having had a long-standing relationship with CHAS prior to my involvement as a trustee through the heart-warming support the charity gave to my sister I care deeply about the values and services that the charity provides. As a recent father of two young children, aged two and six months, I also understand the importance of every family having the support they need.”

The third new CHAS board member is Sophia Salim, whose son Rayhan has been supported by the charity for the last four years.

Rayhan, who has a spinal cord injury, regularly visits Robin House where he enjoys regular music therapy along with Clowndoctor sessions.

Sophia said: “Being the parent of a young person with disabilities, I have first-hand experience of the challenges and issues children with complex needs and their families face. I am delighted to join the trustee board and passionate about the projects CHAS supports and the ability the charity has to make a difference to the lives of young people and their families.”

Chair of the CHAS Board, Peta Hay said: “I am delighted to welcome Gillian, Faraz and Sophia to our Board. All three are professional individuals who have very personal connections to CHAS with lived experience as either a parent or sibling. Their insight will prove to be invaluable and will amplify the voices of the families we support across Scotland and I wish them every success with their new roles and responsibilities.”