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Church Elder Retires as Chair of Hospice Charity

Friday September 22 2017

A Church of Scotland elder has stepped down as chair of Children’s Hospices Across Scotland (CHAS).

Professor Gordon Dickson is retiring after 12 years in the voluntary role with CHAS, which is the only Scottish charity providing hospice services for children and young people with life-shortening conditions.

Professor Dickson said: “It has been a privilege to be at the heart of CHAS for the past 12 years and it will forever have a special place in my thoughts. Indeed it is a charity that has a special place in many hearts.

“I have so many fond and proud moments of my time at CHAS. Without doubt the best are when I meet the families we support. Despite facing the most difficult of times, I am always inspired by their strength and determination to ensure their child has the best life they can. And I know that everyone involved with this outstanding charity will continue to work to their best to help keep the joy alive for children and families, and ensure that everyone that needs their help is able to access it.”

He is succeeded as chairperson by George Reid, a senior partner in the global accountancy firm Ernst & Young, who has been on the CHAS board since 2009. George said: “It will be difficult to imagine CHAS without Gordon. He has been instrumental with so many of our developments and successes and one thing I am always reminded about by Gordon is that everything we do must be to the benefit of the families we care for. He always has the children and families we support at his core, keeping the board grounded and reminded about just why we are here. I’d like to thank him for his tremendous leadership.

“Gordon’s legacy is truly inspirational. But, we have much more work to do. Our recently launched CHAS plan, Reaching Every Family in Scotland, sets out what we want to achieve over the coming years. And my commitment is to support CHAS in delivering this.

“Our vision is that our care reaches across Scotland. That is why expanding our outreach service is vital. Our CHAS at Home teams offer the same care and choices as our hospices, but crucially they do this in the families’ homes, in hospital – or wherever they are needed. We are also enhancing our work with our NHS colleagues, local authorities and the voluntary sector, to reach every corner of Scotland. 

“We are ambitious and determined, and as Scotland’s national children’s hospice provider and a leader in children’s palliative care across the world, we will lead from the front.”

CHAS offers care for the whole family in two children’s hospices, Rachel House in Kinross and Robin House in Balloch, as well as a service supporting families at home.


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