“Your Gift Helped Us Live Through the Unimaginable”- Cassy’s Story

Cassy Berry, 39, from Edinburgh, never imagined how drastically life would change after the birth of her twins, Cole and Kensey, in November 2019. Just three weeks later, Cole was admitted to hospital, where he stayed for nearly five months undergoing countless tests and treatments. During this immensely difficult time, Cassy and her partner David were introduced to Children’s Hospices Across Scotland (CHAS) — a charity whose care for families like theirs is made possible in part thanks to the generosity of those who  have remembered the charity in their Wills.

CHAS offered the family a stay at Rachel House, one of their children’s hospices, where they could be a ‘normal’ family away from the hospital. “Rachel House gave us space and support to begin caring for Cole ourselves,” Cassy says. When Cole came home in March 2020, CHAS, alongside the palliative care team, helped manage the daily challenges of his complex condition.

For Cassy, CHAS provided more than clinical support – it brought emotional reassurance and a sense of normality. “Life was incredibly stressful. CHAS reminded me to see my baby, not just the tubes. They gave me confidence and reassured me I knew Cole best.”
 
She recalls staff always listened without judgement, offering guidance without pressure. “Their support helped us live in the moment – even when full of fear.”

Throughout Cole’s eight months, CHAS made it possible to enjoy moments they never expected. Cassy remembers fondly arts and crafts keepsakes and outings together – even a holiday – that simply wouldn’t have happened without them. “CHAS made life feel liveable.”

Gifts left in Wills made this possible. “The gratitude I feel is overwhelming,” Cassy shares. “Nobody expects to need this kind of help, but when you do, CHAS is there – because of people like you.”
 
To those leaving a gift in their Will, she says: “You cannot fathom how far your gift reaches. You’re giving families like mine strength, peace, and the chance to live through the unimaginable.”
 
After Cole passed in December 2020, CHAS continued to support the family. “They don’t disappear after your child dies. CHAS will always have a place in my heart,” Cassy says. “This interview means the world – it means Cole’s name is said again. That he’s remembered. That his story matters.”

Looking back, Cassy knows life could have been very different without CHAS. “It could have been a black hole. But they helped us stay grounded and reminded us that Cole’s life – however short – was a gift.”
 
To anyone considering a leaving a gift in their Will, Cassy’s message is clear: “Please know your legacy lives on in families like mine. It’s not just a one-time gift – it keeps on giving.”

Gifts in Wills help charities like CHAS provide unwavering care to children who may die young and their families at every step of this hardest of journeys. No one should face the death of their child alone.

That’s why gifts in Wills are so vital. Thanks to these generous individuals, one in every six children cared for by CHAS are supported through gifts in Wills. These donations help fund hospice services, at-home care, bereavement support, and moments of joy that mean the world to families during the darkest times.

CHAS receives £2–£3 million each year through gifts in Wills—funding that ensures this essential care can continue long into the future.

By remembering a charity in your Will, you can help ensure no family ever has to walk this path alone.