Thank you to everyone who came to both of the Midsummer Melody fundraising events on Sunday 16 August and Sunday 30 August. Such lovely, warmhearted events celebrating and supporting the work of CHAS (Children’s Hospices Across Scotland). More words and pictures to come but wanted to make sure anyone dropping in today would know how much we appreciated your support.
On the first evening Ola Stanton performed in the garden playing music inspired by woodland, water and birdsong. [Quick update 31 August: Drop in again soon to find out what happened next…]
Of course we hope the weather will be kind (again) but there will be cover and a range of delicious locally sourced food.
Space is limited so we’re asking guests to book in advance, please. Donations in cash are £5, £10 or what you can afford.
The events are supporting the £20m appeal CHAS launched this spring aiming to transform palliative care for young people with life-shortening conditions. At the first event Catriona McDonald, one of the volunteers working with CHAS, spoke eloquently about the work of this wonderful charity and why it needs to expand. At the next event we will be delighted to welcome Rami Okasha, chief executive of CHAS, to bring us up to date with the appeal.
The “More Than a Hospice” campaign seeks to rebuild Rachel House in Kinross, renew Robin House in Balloch, and strengthen specialist support delivered in hospitals and family homes. CHAS says demand for its services has risen sharply, with hospice stays increasing by 45% over the past three years as more children live longer with complex medical needs.
A special connection
Pond Cottage has a special link with Rachel House in Kinross.
We didn’t discover the connection until we chose CHAS as our special charity to support through Scotland’s Gardens Scheme.
But more than thirty years ago – when the Daily Record was campaigning to raise money for what was then Scotland’s first children’s hospice – the Montgomery family of Kinross House gifted four acres of tree-sheltered land to CHAS to build Rachel House. That was in December 1994, and by an odd chance, just a year previously Ray and I had bought our ten-acre slice of woodland and wetland from the Montgomery family – a little over two miles north of Kinross.
That’s the background to our midsummer celebration of a wonderful charity and the great community spirit we find in opening our garden – and the support we get from Scotland’s Gardens Scheme. As always we are grateful for friendly help and guidance from SGS in planning and organising this event (we will make a donation to the SGS charity fund too).
We are delighted to be part of Scotland’s Gardens Scheme for five years (our first open day was 5 September 2021) with CHAS as our chosen charity.
An afternoon tea with music
An informal programme to celebrate and support CHAS begins at 2.30 but come a little earlier if you like to allow time for parking between the trees and have a wander round the garden. There will also be time to explore paths around the pond during the afternoon.
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