Aldi Scotland’s much loved Supermarket Sweep arrived in Cowdenbeath as the retailer marked a year of partnership with Children’s Hospices Across Scotland (CHAS). Rachel House chef Shona Malcolm took on the challenge and raised an impressive £524, rounding off a successful year of fundraising.
Rachel House in Kinross is one of two CHAS hospices, offering vital palliative, respite and end of life care to children with life-shortening conditions and their families. Its kitchen is at the heart of the hospice, where Shona, who has been part of the team for 7 years, prepares comforting home cooked meals for families, staff and volunteers.
Inspired by the classic gameshow, Aldi’s supermarket sweep took place at the end of November in Cowdenbeath. Shona, nominated by her colleagues, completed a five minute trolley dash to gather treats and essentials for families staying at the hospice, with Aldi also matching the total value of Shona’s haul as a donation to the charity.
As well as taking home a trolley full of goodies for the families at Rachel House, Aldi Scotland matched the cash value of Shona’s haul, donating all proceeds to CHAS to help support over 500 babies, children and young people across Scotland with life-shortening conditions and their families. This year’s Supermarket Sweep has seen every penny raised through the initiative go directly to CHAS, with £10,000 pledged in support.
Fourteen supermarket sweep events have taken place across the country this year, with Aldi also supporting the charity through Halloween fundraising and donations for special occasions such as Robin House’s prom and Rachel House’s summer party.
Shona Malcolm, Rachel House Chef, CHAS, said: “Taking part in the Aldi supermarket sweep was so much fun. I was on a mission to get the food items that I know the children and families at Rachel House love.
“The kitchen at Rachel House is the heart of the hospice. Preparing food for children and families is not just about making meals, it’s about making memories. Our team in the kitchen put so much thought and care into menu planning and we all take great delight seeing the children, families, staff and volunteers spending time together and enjoying our meals.”
Every week, in Scotland, three children die from an incurable condition. CHAS provides unwavering care at every step on this hardest of journeys for families facing this devastating reality supporting families in their homes, in our two hospices and through joint CHAS / NHS teams in Scotland’s three children’s hospitals.
In the Cowdenbeath area, CHAS supports 38 children and families, providing a range of expert care depending on their needs, from palliative care, respite stays, family support as well as bereavement and spiritual care, helping families make the most of every precious moment together. Through its partnership with CHAS, Aldi is helping raise vital funds and awareness for the Charity, supporting its vital hospice services at Rachel House, Robin House in Balloch and through CHAS at Home.
Sandy Mitchell, Regional Managing Director, Aldi Scotland, said: “We’re proud to have partnered with CHAS this year and to support the invaluable work they do for families across Scotland. Through the partnership, we have been able to help raise awareness of the charity and its incredible work, as well as generate funds so CHAS can continue to provide vital hospice care to children with life-shortening conditions, and unwavering support to families during the most difficult moments imaginable.
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“We have been blown away by the team’s enthusiasm and willingness to get involved throughout the year, and Shona is a testament to their incredible energy and tireless effort – congratulations on raising a fantastic £524.”
For more information about CHAS and how to support its work, visit https://www.chas.org.uk/
