Dayna's charities - CHAS             

Rachel House - Childrens Hospice Association Scotland

Rachel House, Scotland's first children's hospice, was opened in 1996. The hospice is purpose-built and provides ongoing support for up to 200 families from across Scotland each year. At any one time, it can accommodate up to eight children and their families.

We all expect children to grow up healthy and strong. Sadly, though, some parents are living with the knowledge that their child's life will be short. When it is known that life is short, two things become very important to the family; the quality of life and the enjoyment of the time that is left.

Caring for a seriously ill child puts an immense physical and emotional strain on the whole family. There are huge demands in both time and energy when caring for a sick child.

The children's hospice is a home from home offering a place where families can relax, recharge their batteries and have fun with their children. Expert care is on hand to help them make the most of each day and live life to the full.

Rachel House is not a sad place, it is a place for living. It provides an opportunity to share concerns and worries with people who understand. It is a place of fun and laughter, enjoyment, love and support.

CHAS supports over 250 families, as well as a significant number of families who receive bereavement support. The services are free to families who need them and are funded mainly through the generosity of the many supporters who help the charity to raise over £6 million needed each year to provide these vital hospice services

To make a donation to CHAS, click here

(We would appreciate if any donations are accompanied with a message "in memory of Dayna Clark", or something similar).  If you wish to let us know of your donation, then please see the contact page










Dayna's personal story with CHAS-Rachel House

Dayna sailed through chemotherapy (well almost).  Then when it finished she slept for 3 weeks.  It was traumatic, so upsetting thinking that she might never wake up again.  We had faith that Dayna had things to do first and knew deep down that she would come back to spend some more quality time with us.  

On 2nd September 2009 we went to Rachel House.  We didn’t  want to go to a ‘hospice’!  With Dayna’s approval we had put her on alternative (natural) medicines.  A new one appeared at home so we picked it up on the way to Rachel House Kinross.  Dayna received this and the next morning she awoke in lovely Rachel house.  From then on we used it as a stepping stone to get home (quote from Director of Rachel House).  The place was amazing, not a last place to be but a fun place with lots of do and to offer.  

They arranged another WISH for Dayna, to go see Falkirk Football team play and meet her heartthrob players.  She ate that day for the first time in 6 weeks.  After that Rachel house managed to get us to see High School Musical 3 on the first day of its viewing.  We never thought we would be back at the pictures again with our Princess.  They helped us return home at weekends then after a PINK PARTY on Friday 31st October we were to be home constantly until 28th December.  We managed to get back to the football on our own again. We even managed to get away for a break at Christmas to a lodge in Loch Leven, near home and also near Rachel House.  

When at home Dayna managed to attend a ceremony with Alex Salmond to open the new Clackmannanshire Bridge.  A full day of excitement and a presentation from Morgan Vinci of a rare picture of the new bridge.  Alex Salmond took to Dayna so much and as she could not attent an Xmas Party invite from him he came personally to Dayna’s house loaded with personal gifts to visit her.  Rachel House were behind us all the way. 

When we went back to Rachel House on 28th December we stayed for 13 nights we just felt safe there.  Dayna was with us for 11 of them in the Rainbow Room.  This was when Matt and I benefitted so much from Rachel House, they couldn’t do enough for us.  I do not think we could have planned our daughter’s funeral without them.  They were totally out of this world.  

To this day, they keep in touch with us, make us welcome and are very thoughtful on our special dates