Children’s Hospices Across Scotland (CHAS) will enjoy an extra £1,250 this year after being voted the UK’s favourite charity in the first ever Park Christmas Savings UK Community Awards.
The Edinburgh-based charity secured the most votes from Park Christmas Savings’ agents to become their national and regional top charity of 2021.
Park’s agent community of over 28,500 members were invited to nominate causes closest to their hearts and a special panel from Park – the UK’s favourite festive savings club – picked four regional winners.
Agents were then asked to decide which one should become their overall national winner with CHAS getting the most votes.
CHAS provides support for children suffering life-shortening illnesses or disabilities. That includes palliative care, family respite, and other support for parents and children.
Operating for over 20 years, CHAS has been an indispensable lifeline for families and their children, offering crucial care at home, in hospital, or in a hospice.
The charity was nominated by Park agent Danielle Little, a mum-of-three who works at Fife Council and who has run several charity races to raise money for CHAS herself.
She said: “To firstly win the regional award, and then win the national one has been overwhelming. I can’t thank the agents who voted for CHAS enough.
“The support that CHAS offers kids and their families is second-to-none. Although I’ve not personally turned to the charity, as a mother of three girls I recognise that the support the charity gives families during the most difficult and trying time of their lives takes a great weight from their shoulders.”
Angharad Low of CHAS said: “We are so moved by this wonderful recognition and the prize money will go to a really good cause that benefits the quality of life for so many children. Hospice care relies on the generosity and good will of the public and we are very grateful to Danielle and Park for this wonderful award and prize.”
Speaking in response, Katherine Scott, Director of Marketing, Park Christmas Savings added: “This is the first year of our Park Community Awards and we are thrilled such a deserving charity such as CHAS won. Our aim was to do something special for our agents’ local causes and communities.
“I’d like to say a huge ‘thank you’ to all the agents who make such a difference to our savers and congratulations to all the charities who won a prize.”
Three other charities were runner-ups and each won £250 each:
- Autonomie, supporting people with additional needs to live independent lives. Nominated by Sandra McDonald, a Park Christmas Savings agent from Northern Ireland.
- Friends of Animals Wales, rescuing, rehabilitating, and rehoming animals in need. Nominated by Nicky Clement, an agent in Wales.
- The Somerville Foundation, supporting young people and adults living with heart conditions. Nominated by Theresa Denic, an agent in England.
Prizes were issued to each charities on behalf of the successful nominators this month. (February 2022).
Find out more about Park here: www.getpark.co.uk
Find out more about CHAS here: www.chas.org.uk
