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Robin House Children’s Hospice in Balloch will remain open during the Coronavirus pandemic, to continue offering the services and support to those children with life shortening conditions and their families.

Robin House are keeping up to date with the latest government guidelines with social distancing, increasing hygiene and hand washing facilities.

The number of beds has had to be reduced and any child or family member displaying symptoms, tested positive for Covid-19 is not allowed on site.

Nicky Bridges, Clinical Nurse Manager: “The families are needing our services now more than ever. When a child is admitted, they are able to be accompanied by their parents and siblings over the age of 12. Unfortunately, we cannot have any siblings under 12, as we are unable to maintain social distance. This is in line with what is happening in the NHS. “

CHAS has launched a new virtual hospice to help provide those necessary and essential services to those families who are the most vulnerable at this time. These services include virtual reading of bedtime stories, phone calls to both parents and carers that are isolated to give them extra support.

Nicola Porciani, Volunteering Development Manager at Robin House said:

“The children, families and staff are really missing our amazing volunteers and the local companies who visit regularly to carry our activities with them. We want everyone in the local community to ensure that they follow government guidelines by staying home, and staying safe, which will help save lives and the impact of this pandemic on our NHS colleagues.”

She also encourages people to support the charity on their social media platforms.

“Post or retweeting about CHAS on social media – whatever it takes to keep awareness out there. It’s an easy and brilliant way to support us when you can’t leave the house. We need the families we look out for to remember that they are never alone. “

Both Robin house and CHAS are reaching out to the local communities for donations of any kind, including chocolate Easter eggs, or whatever people can manage to help aid the hospices without putting their health at risk during this crisis.

The charity have also launched this week an A-Z fitness fundraiser to help raise money by keeping fit indoors. For more information visit https://www.chas.org.uk/events/a-z-exercise-challeng