Local Member of the Scottish Parliament, Andy Kerr MSP has signed up to take part in the ‘diet Coke’ East Kilbride 10k to raise money for the Children’s Hospice Association Scotland (CHAS).

Andy met CHAS volunteer Hazel Hamilton, from East Mains in East Kilbride, to accept the charity’s official fundraising pack and to hear more about her work. Nominated by Coca-Cola Employees, CHAS is the official charity of this year’s race and receives one pound from every entry.

CHAS is a Scottish charity established to provide hospice services in Scotland for children and young adults with life-limiting conditions.  The charity offers professional care, practical help and emotional support to the whole family, usually from the day they are referred until the death of their child and beyond.

Andy has been to the CHAS Hospice at Balloch, he said, “The children’s hospice is an amazing and special place, the staff and the volunteers combine to create a quite unique environment.  It difficult to put yourself in the shoes of the children and their parents, to imagine how they feel but we all sleep more soundly knowing the support provided by CHAS is there for us all should we need it.”

Supporters of CHAS, also include celebrities Ewan McGregor and Sharlene Spiteri who help raise awareness of the charity. CHAS also relies on a dedicated team of volunteers, like Hazel, who offer their time to help out in the fundraising offices, at the hospices or organise fundraising events.

Hazel explains, “I work one day a week helping where I can in the Stepps office. One of my main roles is to send thank you letters to everyone who has kindly raised money for CHAS. I can send thirty on a good day. Over the nine years I have been volunteering I must have sent tens of thousands of letters.”

CHAS is always looking for more volunteers. Hazel said, “I got involved through an advert I saw. The atmosphere in the office is really friendly and it’s a worthy charity that brings an essential service to people in very difficult circumstances.”

To join Andy in the ‘diet Coke’ East Kilbride Half Marathon or 10k on Sunday 21st June visit www.ekhalfmarathon.co.uk, or call 01698 476118. To request a fundraising pack for CHAS or find out more about volunteering visit www.chas.org.uk.