Green shoots of hope – I’ve just had a lovely message from a generous man, a rare philanthropist, who is offering to match the money we raise this year for CHAS (Children’s Hospices Across Scotland) through our Scotland’s Gardens Scheme openings.
He means it, he was so impressed by what he learned about CHAS when he visited The Pond Garden two years ago he made a three figure donation. With your support we can help him give more this year.
CHAS is an inspiring charity. I’ve been lucky to visit Rachel House, which opened as Scotland’s first children’s hospice in the centre of Kinross over thirty years ago.
Like Rachel House, Pond Cottage is surrounded by fine old trees bequeathed by the Kinross Estate. But, while we overlook a pond created a century ago (probably for duck shooting), the hospice and its garden catch glimpses of Loch Leven Nature Reserve.
It’s a wonderful place for families to find respite among staff and volunteers who create a happy welcoming environment. A heartwarming place which depends on donations to meet the annually increasing costs of its vital work. Fund-raising is a constant fact of life for a charity providing high quality, multi-disciplinary “life and death affirming” care for a growing number of children and families facing the reality of life with life-shortening conditions. Medical advances mean longer lives for more children with terminal illnesses.
We’re a children’s charity providing unwavering care for children who may die young and their families.
We make it possible for children to have the freedom to be themselves, play outside, laugh, sparkle, smile, and have treasured moments of joy.
Local schoolchildren are also able to take part in special events and activities. Like the rewilding morning organised last autumn by resident gardener Clare Hickie and Lyndsay Stobie, senior community fundraiser for CHAS. I was very pleased to be invited and saw how much the children were enjoying planting snowdrops and bluebells for spring. Now, suddenly it is spring and I’m looking forward to exploring possibilities for collaborating in joint creative events among our trees to raise money – and share inspiration.
Welcome to The Pond Garden
Another thought. We are open ‘by arrangement’ and perhaps that sounds a bit daunting. I’ve heard that ‘by arrangement’ can seem a little like cold calling. But we’re always delighted to hear from visitors. You are not a nuisance! If we’re not here you’re welcome to drop in and can just pop a donation in the smart postbox. Our generous supporter will be very pleased!
So please just get in touch through SGS listings for The Pond Garden, or simply fill in the Contact form on this website to fix a time. Daffodils are looking good, bluebells and wild garlic well on their way.
PS: there’s an intriguing link between Rachel House and Pond Cottage as I discovered thanks to Lyndsay Scobie two years ago.
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