May 2008
Hello everyone,
There is a network day coming up on Saturday 17th May @ Fairfield House in Ayr, its 5 minutes from the train station and they hope to begin 9.30-10.00am and finish at 4.00-4.30pm. The cost will be free (although donations are welcome), again this is another chance to meet others and enjoy an interesting day, anyone who is interested in going call Fiona Donald (707198) for forms.
SANDS would like to publish a poem anthology, on behalf of and in support of SANDS, which will include poems from our national membership. These poems can be about grief, sorrow, pain, anger or also reflecting brighter times, pregnancy after loss and the new emotions that brings. Each poem will be considered carefully and you can be credited in the anthology or remain anonymous if you so wish. If you would like to submit a short paragraph about your personal experience or include your baby / babies (name, date of birth and a small tribute) at the bottom of your poem, it's possible these maybe included. Authors will have to complete a copyright form before your poem can be included in the anthology, so please remember to send your full name and postal address with your poem, include your national SANDS membership number if possible. If you would like to submit a poem, written by yourself, please send it to SHERYL McMAHON, PO BOX 282, ILKLEY, LS29 1DS.
SANDS have recently published a book called "pregnancy loss and the death of a baby - guidelines for health professionals" which we hope to provide a copy of to all the wards in the maternity and relevant departments in the near future. One of the authors of the book, Judith Schott is going around the UK doing training days and THANKS to our own Sandra Stephen, we are delighted Judith is coming to Aberdeen on the 11th and 12th November when she will do workshops on the new guidelines. Details of venues etc have yet to be confirmed for these two dates, but if you would like further information please email Sandra on www.sandra.stephen@btopenworld.com
Donations
We have again had a lot of very generous donations, so apologies for those not mentioned this time; they will be mentioned in the next newsletter.
Once again many family and friends of Duncan and Naomi MacIver have kindly given these donations in memory of their son Michael. £10 from Mr and Mrs R.Farrell. £20 from Jennifer and Iain MacIver. £500 from St.Mary's Choir, Lanark. £60 from Alan Armstrong. £40 from David and Kerstin Herriott. £130 from staff at Mastrick Access point. £25 from Liz Petrie.A special thank you to Naomi for donating a brand new wedding dress which she wished to be made into memory pockets, a lovely touch, A BIG, BIG thank you to you all.
A very BIG thank you to all who donated kindly in memory of Roddy MacDonald (father of Lyndsey Spiers) and grandfather to the late Kirsty Spiers. A massive £625 was collected at Roddy's funeral.
Thank you to Michelle and Ian Milne who raffled an Ipod @ Seafab Consultants and kindly donated £90 to SANDS. Thank you also to Lorraine and Bill Bremner for their kind donation of £30.
Deeside Golf Club Ladies Section recently held a Ladies Lunch where £50 was collected and donated to SANDS, Thank you very much Ladies.
Thank you to Mr and Mrs M.Russell for their donation of £5 in memory Amy and Alexander Seton.
Sylvia Taylor saved her coppers and kindly donated £10 to SANDS also another £10 was donated from a friend of Sylvia's, Thank you to both of you.
The Next Pregnancy Group
The group will continue to meet monthly, and should you feel you want to go along to these meetings for some support, dates and venues listed further on in this letter.
New Arrivals
Many congratulations to Donna Fraser and family who had a beautiful baby girl, Emily Maria Jessica born on 4th Jan 08 weighing 6lb 12ozs, best wishes to you all. Thank you for the picture.
A HUGE well done to Nina and Scott Ingram on the birth of their beautiful baby son William Ostvik Ingram. After Nina spending many weeks in Hospital, William was born on the 27th March 08 weighing 7lbs 6ozs, and is a little brother to the late Johanna. We are all so happy for you.
Anniversary Cards
Should you wish to receive a card on the anniversary of your babies death, please send your name and address, along with your babies name and date of passing, to Pamela Styles 16 Ashwood Grove, Bridge of Don, Aberdeen.
Fundraising
On June 17th for 17 months National SANDS is undertaking a big fundraising/awareness campaign, called "project 17". It hopes that all local branches will undertake a fundraiser to raise a total of 1.7 million pounds for research into stillbirth. Some of the Aberdeen SANDS girls and their children are taking part in "the wee walk" @ the Duthie Park on Sunday 27th April at 11 am. If anyone is interested in more information you can get this on the website www.greatscottishwalk.com and costs £5.00 or call Fiona (01224 707198) if entry forms or sponsor forms are required.
"BEETLEDRIVE" ON Thursday 12th June @ 7.30pm in Craigiebuckler Church. Virgin Vie, Usborne Books and Body shop products will all be available to purchase on the evening, bring along your own drinks and any donations for raffle prizes would be greatly appreciated. The last one we had was a great success and lots of fun too. Tickets will be £5.00, for more information or tickets call Fiona 707198 or Susan 684208.
Emily's husband Mark is bravely doing a fundraiser and is looking for sponsorship to walk from the east coast to the west coast of Scotland to raise money for Aberdeen SANDS and the Maggie's Glasgow cancer centre. The walk will be 220 miles long, will take in 23 Munros, and will take approximately 2 weeks. It will take place in June and accommodation will consist of just a bivvy bag! Please contact Mark, Emily or Susan to sponsor.
Memory Pockets
Marjory is still doing a great job keeping Rubislaw ward stocked up with Memory Pockets.
FORTHCOMING MEETINGS - All welcome...
If you have any contributions for the next newsletter please give them or email them to me, Susan Forsyth by the end of June, Thank you. My email is forkie@btopenworld.com or contact me on 01224 684208.
Could anyone still with library books please return them if you have finished with them, thank you.
CHAPLAINCY DATES FOR 2008
Trinity Service Sunday 1st June - 2.00pm
SANDS Christmas Service Sunday 7th December - 10.30am Quiet Service
11.15am Family Service