Children's charity renews commitment to families with airline partnership
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
Children’s Hospices Across Scotland (CHAS) has renewed its partnership with regional airline Loganair for a third consecutive year.
It will enable the delivery of specialist nursing care to families who live in remote locations and are unable to travel to the charity’s two children’s hospices.
As official airline partner for CHAS, Loganair has been working with the organisation since 2021 to provide free flights across its network for the charity’s care team, allowing them to provide specialist support to families in areas such as the Highlands and Islands.
By providing support with increasing medical and social complexity, the ambition of CHAS is that no one faces the death of their child alone.
In total, Loganair has raised more than £17,000 for the charity through various fundraising activities from Kiltwalk, Santa Dash and a Forth Rail Bridge abseil to raffles and corporate events.
Members of staff have also volunteered more than 160 hours, spending several busy days working in the gardens of Robin House in Balloch.
Their contribution has ranged from planting and decorating a Christmas tree last December to sprucing up the grounds by weeding and planting fresh bulbs in the Mediterranean Garden in spring.
Among those who have received support from the partnership is the Morris family from Shetland. In July, Loganair helped CHAS deliver vital services to the family as nurses Michelle Milne and Beth Main toured the island with 13-year-old Harrison Morris, providing valuable respite for his loved ones.
Another highlight of the partnership included a special Easter flight where Loganair took children with life-shortening conditions on a unique scenic air-tour around Scotland’s Highlands and Islands, departing from Glasgow Airport last year and Aberdeen Airport this year.
Families were also surprised with a visit and gifts from the Easter bunny. It was a magical memory for the families as some children experienced a flight for the first time, something they never thought possible.
Lara MacDonald, CHAS senior corporate partnership executive, said: “We are thrilled that Loganair has extended the partnership with CHAS once again.
"Loganair has been an exceptional support over these last two years; providing free flights for our CHAS at Home nurses to visit families in the most remote areas of the country and organising two Easter flights in Glasgow and Aberdeen to enable children who have never flown before to have this experience and create wonderful memories with their families.
“In addition to that they have raised vital funds and awareness for the work that we do and have regularly volunteered in our Robin House gardens. We are really excited to see what the next year brings with this partnership.”
Luke Lovegrove, Loganair’s chief commercial officer, said: “We are delighted to continue working with CHAS for a third year as the charity’s official airline partner.
"We are committed to working with CHAS to provide free travel for their palliative care nurses visiting families who are unable to travel.
“We are eager to continue our volunteering and fundraising activities where possible too. The team at Loganair are always thinking of new ways to help support CHAS and it's humbling to see their passion and support for such an important organisation.”
Visit www.chas.org.uk/about-us/contact-us/make-a-referral to find out more about all the services CHAS offers and how to access support.
