Staff at Persimmon’s North Scotland headquarters in Perth selected CHAS as their charity of the year for 2023 and committed to taking part in a variety of fundraising activities throughout the year. Events ranged from sports days and bake sales to volunteer days, with local staff raising a total of £18,000.

That total has been boosted by a further £20,000 donation from the Persimmon Charitable Foundation, bringing the amount raised to nearly £40,000. Persimmon North Scotland managing director James MacKay visited Rachel House to present staff and volunteers with a cheque for the total amount.

CHAS has been offering full family support services for babies, children and young people with life-shortening conditions for over 30 years. The charity provides a variety of assistance, from palliative care and family respite to support services in hospitals, hospices and at home.

As well as supporting the charity’s ongoing work across Scotland, the funds raised by Persimmon staff will directly benefit Rachel House Children’s Hospice in Kinross. The facility on Avenue Road has a range of facilities, including a hydrotherapy room, large accessible gardens and space for both relaxation and fun for families.

Ruathy Donald, community fundraiser at CHAS, said: “We can’t thank the Persimmon Homes North Scotland team enough for their dedicated fundraising for CHAS over the last year. Every month they had different fundraising event, which in turn has inspired the organisation as a whole.

“This amazing donation will really ensure that we can continue to support children with life shortening conditions and their families with respite and end of life care, so that no-one has to face the death of their child alone.”

James MacKay, Persimmon North Scotland managing director, added: “Staff in our Perth office were keen to support a charity that makes a real difference to people’s lives this year and there’s no better local example of that than the team at Rachel House.

“Colleagues right across the Persimmon North Scotland business have gone to great efforts to raise funds and I want to thank them for all they’ve done throughout the year. It was a pleasure to meet with staff and volunteers there to present them with a cheque and hear how the money raised will help them continue to provide support to local families when they need it most.”

Anthony Vigor, chair of Trustees for the Persimmon Charitable Foundation, added: “The Persimmon Charitable Foundation is delighted to be supporting Rachel House Children’s Hospice with a £20,000 donation.

“Staff at the hospice show incredible dedication to ensure that children with life-limiting illnesses receive invaluable care in a safe and welcoming environment. I wish all at the hospice the very best and I am sure they will continue to have a positive impact on the lives of many families.”