STERLING Furniture went all out for a children’s charity on Mother’s Day as they raised thousands of pounds with a raffle.

The Tillicoultry-based store raised money for Children’s Hospices Across Scotland (CHAS) with a store wide raffle for the public, for which local businesses and suppliers donated dozens of raffle prizes.

Staff were also decked out in fancy dress for the weekend and collections were held throughout the complex.

Staff at the Tillicoultry complex – comprising Sterling Furniture, The Mill Café and Butterfly Inn – have been fundraising for the pioneering charity since 2006.

With the £1,773 raised cross Mother’s Day weekend added to the total, they have now donated an astonishing £84,244, most of which has been generated from the sale of second hand books at the Mill Café.

Eileen Mackay of Sterling Mill Café said: “As a family owned and orientated business, Sterling could not be more delighted to support CHAS and the absolutely amazing work they do for families across Scotland.

“Our Mill Café charity bookshop has proved to be very popular and we are delighted to play a small part in the continued growth of this wonderful organisation. Thanks to all the staff, customers, friends and volunteers getting involved on the day, dressing up and donating.”

Lyndsay Stobie, community fundraiser at CHAS, said: “We are blown away by how much Eileen and her team have raised for CHAS and can’t thank Sterling enough for everything they’ve done and continue to do. We’re delighted to see that they’ve had such fun in the process.

“The way they’ve done it is quite amazing. Not only does the purchase of every book contribute to an education and help protect the environment, but the proceeds go towards the sustainability of care that CHAS gives to so many babies, children, young people and their families.”

In Scotland, more than 15,000 children and young people live with life-shortening conditions and CHAS is determined to reach every family who needs it. CHAS works across Scotland, able to provide its hospice services nationwide for babies, children and young people with life-shortening conditions. CHAS offers palliative, respite and end-of-life care from Rachel House in Kinross and Robin House in Balloch.

CHAS at Home supports families with the services of a hospice yet in their own homes across the whole of Scotland and through its Diana Children’s Nurses working in hospitals across the country, CHAS supports families and clinical teams.

To get involved in CHAS as a volunteer, whether you’d like to help run one of our kitchens, gardens or represent the charity as an ambassador in your community, the full range of current opportunities can be found online at chas.org.uk here.