Magical memories to last a lifetime were created for children with life-shortening conditions and their families at a special prom event hosted by Children’s Hospices Across Scotland (CHAS).
Six youngsters took part in the event at Rachel House hospice in Kinross which gave them the opportunity to enjoy the joy and excitement of a prom that they otherwise might not be able to experience due to their life-limiting conditions.
The young guests were given bespoke pamper baskets filled with special gifts and took part in a workshop in the morning with their families to create beautiful corsages and buttonholes to be worn to their prom. Parents coordinated the flowers to match the colours of their child’s prom gown and suits.
A red carpet was rolled out for all the children as they made a special entrance, being piped in by piper Owen Stark, son of CHAS Senior Nursing Support Worker, Amanda Stark.
All the girls wore beautiful prom dresses while the boys wore smart shirts. Professional local hair and makeup artists gave up their time to ensure that all family members were given star treatment on the night.
A professional photographer was at the event to capture special moments and take family portraits in a giant glitter-light frame while live music was provided by Fife singer Cammy Barnes, of Britain’s Got Talent fame.
The event was a huge success with families commenting afterwards that they had made lots of “magical memories” together.
Parent Kirsty Myles from Dundee said: “This event was very special to us as our son Billy has been through so much in his life and prom was never really something we thought would ever happen for him. However, against all odds he is now in his very last year of school and prom has happened for him through Rachel House. We are so grateful, and I love how his sisters got to be part of it with him. They love him so much and he was definitely their Prom King on the day.”
Parent Gemma Lynch from Fife said: “It was such a special weekend that created so much joy and excitement among the families whose children wouldn’t be able to access that type of event usually. The gift Stewart received really meant the world to us because he was included, and it showed how much love and understanding Chas has for their children and families.”
Parent Andrea Robinson from Edinburgh said: “The Prom was an opportunity for my daughter Isla to be treated like the princess she is but would be so difficult to organise by ourselves. Being carer we often miss out on mother and daughter time. We both loved the opportunity to spend quality time together without the carer pressures.”
Parent Michelle Jarrett from Fife said: “Erin loved attending the prom, something she would have missed out on otherwise and she also loved borrowing her sister’s bridesmaids dress for the occasion.”
Parent Lyndsey Stewart from Dundee said: “CHAS went above and beyond to create such a special day, and we got to see our girl Sophie shine – she was beautiful. The best bit for me was my husband Harry and Sophie having a dad and daughter dance as it will never happen at Sophie’s wedding, so this was extremely special. We also all got to put our fingerprints on a photo frame for Sophie’s prom which is something we will treasure forever.”
CHAS Play Assistant Becky Williamson who organised the event said: “All of the children who attended this special event have had to face unimaginable challenges due to their health and might not be able to attend a school prom like their peers. We received a special request from a parent to bring the prom to our children so they could experience a night of joy and fun and feeling special. We feel so proud to have helped our families enjoy this experience and create lasting memories, filled with love and laughter.
“We are incredibly grateful to all the local hair and make-up artists who gave up their time to help the children and their families feel special on the night. Thanks must also go to all the other businesses who provided their services to help make this event such a huge success and gave these children the gift of a magical, unforgettable experience. A huge thanks of course too to Cammy Barnes for coming along to perform for free. The families loved listening to him sing and meeting him afterwards.”
Cammy Barnes said he was “honoured” to have been invited to perform at the Rachel House Prom.
He added: “It was a very special event and it was lovely to sing for the children and families and meet them all. I think the work CHAS does helping children with life-shortening conditions right across Scotland is amazing.”
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Pic cap: The families of Stewart Lynch, Billy Myles, Sophie Stewart, Isla Robinson and Erin Jarrett at the Rachel House Prom. Please note the 6th child who attended, Olivia Harnwell is not in this photo.
Children’s Hospices Across Scotland (CHAS) provides unwavering care to children who may die young and their families, at every step on this hardest of journeys.
- We provide support in the early days after a child is diagnosed with a life-shorting condition. Having a very ill child means a family’s life changes enormously, and we are there to help every family member emotionally, clinically, and practically.
- We provide integrated palliative and end of life care as well as respite care for the whole family in our two hospices, Rachel House in Kinross and Robin House in Balloch.
- Our outreach team operates in every local authority area – providing highly skilled nursing care for children in their own homes (often in partnership with local teams), as well as a full family support service. This includes social work, income maximisation, energy advice, spiritual and bereavement support, transition to adult services for 16 – 21s, and therapeutic play.
- There is a joint CHAS/ NHS specialist team in every children’s hospital in Scotland. The only specialist Paediatric Palliative Medicine posts in Scotland are funded by CHAS. Our Diana Children’s Nurses provide specialist support alongside the NHS in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen.
- We are there at the end of life, supporting children to die with dignity, in accordance with their and their parents’ wishes and we also help in the difficult days after a child dies and can offer bereavement support in the years ahead.
- The wonderful letters which form our logo are created by the children and families that use our services.
- Follow CHAS on Twitter and Instagram: @supportCHAS, or like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/supportCHAS
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