An Edinburgh girl with a life-shortening illness was among those who were treated to a special prom night hosted by a Scottish charity.
A magical prom night was hosted by Children's Hospices Across Scotland (CHAS) for children with life-limiting health conditions, creating unforgettable memories for them and their families.
Six young guests had the chance to experience the thrill of a prom at Rachel House hospice in Kinross, an event they might otherwise miss due to their health conditions.
The children were treated to custom pamper baskets filled with special gifts and participated in a morning workshop with their families to craft stunning corsages and buttonholes for the prom. Parents carefully matched the flowers to the colours of their child's prom attire.
A red carpet welcomed the children as they made their grand entrance, accompanied by the bagpipe tunes of Owen Stark, son of CHAS Senior Nursing Support Worker, Amanda Stark. The girls wore beautiful prom dresses, while the boys looked dapper in smart shirts.
Local professional hair and makeup artists volunteered their time to give all family members the star treatment for the big night. A professional photographer was present to capture these precious moments with family portraits set against a giant glitter-light frame.
Live music was provided by Fife singer and Britain's Got Talent star, Cammy Barnes, reports the Daily Record.
Andrea Robinson, from Edinburgh, expressed what the prom meant for her family: "The prom was an opportunity for my daughter Isla to be treated like the princess she is but would be so difficult to organise by ourselves."
She highlighted the personal benefits, saying, "Being a carer we often miss out on mother and daughter time. We both loved the opportunity to spend quality time together without the carer pressures."
Kirsty Myles, a parent, shared her heartfelt experience: "This event was very special to us as our son Billy has been through so much in his life and prom was never really something we thought would ever happen for him."
She continued with gratitude, "However, against all odds he is now in his very last year of school and prom has happened for him through Rachel House."
Reflecting on the family aspect, she added, "We are so grateful, and I love how his sisters got to be part of it with him. They love him so much and he was definitely their Prom King on the day."
Gemma Lynch, another parent, spoke about the impact of the event: "It was such a special weekend that created so much joy and excitement among the families whose children wouldn't be able to access that type of event usually."
She also mentioned the significance of a particular gift: "The gift Stewart received really meant the world to us because he was included, and it showed how much love and understanding CHAS has for their children and families."
Lyndsey Stewart shared her heartfelt appreciation, stating: "CHAS went above and beyond to create such a special day, and we got to see our girl Sophie shine – she was beautiful.
"The best bit for me was my husband Harry and Sophie having a dad and daughter dance as it will never happen at Sophie's wedding, so this was extremely special. We also all got to put our fingerprints on a photo frame for Sophie's prom which is something we will treasure forever."
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Becky Williamson, CHAS Play Assistant, organised the special event and reflected on its significance: "All of the children who attended this special event have had to face unimaginable challenges due to their health and might not be able to attend a school prom like their peers.
"We received a special request from a parent to bring the prom to our children so they could experience a night of joy and fun and feeling special."
Williamson continued to express pride and gratitude: "We feel so proud to have helped our families enjoy this experience and create lasting memories, filled with love and laughter."
She also extended thanks to those who contributed their skills and services: "We are incredibly grateful to all the local hair and make-up artists who gave up their time to help the children and their families feel special on the night. Thanks must also go to all the other businesses who provided their services to help make this event such a huge success and gave these children the gift of a magical, unforgettable experience."
And highlighting the sense of community spirit, she added: "A huge thanks of course too to Cammy Barnes for coming along to perform for free. The families loved listening to him sing and meeting him afterwards."
Cammy Barnes expressed his pride at being chosen to grace the stage for the Rachel House Prom, describing it as a privilege. He elaborated on the event: "It was a very special event and it was lovely to sing for the children and families and meet them all."
In recognition of the organising charity's efforts, he praised: "I think the work CHAS does helping children with life-shortening conditions right across Scotland is amazing."
