Ewan’s latest role is purely personal

Aug 22 2008 by Gordon Bannerman, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

ACTOR Ewan McGregor has starred in films diverse as “Trainspotting” and the “Star Wars” movies but his latest screen role was strictly personal.

The Crieff-born star is fronting a series of inspiring short films to raise awareness of the work of the Children's Hospice Association Scotland, which provides hospice services for children and youngsters with limited life expectancy.

Ewan swapped the customary blockbuster roles for filming alongside children, teenagers and families who use CHAS hospices, including Rachel House at Kinross.

Ewan is a long-time supporter of CHAS, often popping into the Kinross retreat on family visits back to his Perthshire roots.

The films are part of a high profile campaign to increase public awareness of children's hospices and the services they provide.

These include not only one-to-one, respite and round-the-clock medical care, but also love and support for families and plenty play and activities for young people with life-limiting illnesses, along with their brothers and sisters.

Ewan said: “Like many people, before I visited the hospice I had this notion that children's hospices are sad places. Nothing could be further from the truth.

“Robin House, Rachel House and CHAS at Home are all about improving the quality of life for children, young people and their families.

“They are vibrant life affirming retreats. They are a wonderfully enriching celebration of every child and young person's potential and of life itself however short it may be.

“The aim of CHAS is to enable families to enjoy their time together and share precious memories.

“The emphasis is on the positive and the here and now. They provide first class care for the child while at the same time giving mums, dads, brothers, sisters and grandparents the opportunity to relax, re-charge their batteries and have a break.”

Ewan has pleaded with the public to support CHAS either by donating money, fundraising or volunteering for CHAS work.

CHAS needs more than £5 million a year to run hospice services.

The majority of this is raised through donations from the public. It also relies on over 900 volunteers who gave over 79,000 hours worth of time last year.

This is equivalent to a donation of over £1 million to the charity.

Volunteers help in a variety of roles including working in the kitchen, gardening, cleaning and administration. Teenagers from the local area also volunteer as Young Befrienders, spending time with people at Rachel House.

Ewan added: “It's amazing to think everything the hospices do is made possible by donations. Which is why, any help, big or small, a gift of money or your time, can make such a big difference.

“The volunteers at CHAS are so humble. They have endless enthusiasm, they want to help, learn new skills and make a difference.”

Roslyn Neely, director of Fundraising and Communications at CHAS said: “We are eternally grateful to Ewan McGregor, the children and families, supporters, volunteers and staff who enabled us to make these short films. We plan to use them to raise awareness by showing them to schools and youth groups, at speaking and fundraising events.”

l To support CHAS call 0131 444 1900 or logon to www.chas.org.uk