Staff from Loganair, the UK’s largest regional airline, have been working hard on a refresh of the gardens at Children’s Hospices Across Scotland (CHAS), led by keen gardener CEO Jonathan Hinkles.
The airline staff spent the day with the gardening team for the charity at Robin House, a home away from home for families of children with life-shortening conditions.
As charity partner for CHAS, Loganair has been working with the organisation since 2021 to provide connectivity for families across Scotland, ensuring that they have access to the care and support required no matter how remote they may be.
Now, as part of the ongoing support for the charity, Loganair was keen to help maintain the gardens for the children and their families, supporting the gardeners on site with their own ‘ground force’ team.
The staff gifted the charity with an airline shaped planter to represent their ongoing commitment and support to the charity, while they were put to work weeding and replanting the Sensory Garden that was sadly overgrown due to the pandemic.
CHAS is a palliative care charity which strives to reach and support children and their families across Scotland who are living with life-shortening conditions, offering much-needed respite and continual care. It is CHAS’s mission to ensure that no one faces the death of their child alone, and that no family feels forgotten. With Loganair’s flight routes reaching across the UK, Loganair is committed to providing several free flights to CHAS children and support staff, allowing stress-free travel to help the charity do their admirable work.
Earlier this month, children and their families who are cared for by CHAS had a unique opportunity to tour Scotland’s islands by air, in a generous donation from Loganair. The flight departed from Glasgow Airport, where the children were surprised by Loganair’s Easter Bunny who presented gift baskets of chocolate eggs and other goodies to all attendees.
Jonathan Hinkles, Chief Executive at Loganair, said: “Myself and the rest of the team are all avid gardeners ourselves and so we wanted to use that passion to bring to life a special place at Robin House for the families at CHAS.
“Our ongoing work with the charity is incredibly close to our hearts and it has been fantastic to work with the families and the care teams. Hopefully the new look for the garden can be enjoyed by everyone at Robin House.
“We very much look forward to continuing our work with CHAS throughout the rest of the year, keeping families across Scotland connected with the incredible work of the organisation.”
Maggie Brown, Gardener at Robin House, said:
“It was lovely to welcome the team from Loganair to Robin House. The group did a brilliant job tidying up our sensory garden and weren’t afraid to get stuck in and help. The gardens are used for so many different activities and mean so much to the children and families we support so it’s great to have them back looking their best for everyone to enjoy. Thanks so much to everyone from Loganair for their continued support.”