October 2008

Hello everyone,

Just a quick reminder about the SANDS Christmas Service. The service led by Fred Coutts and his team is on the 7th December at the chapel in ARI. The quiet service is held at 10.30am and the family service at 11.15am.It is a lovely service with refreshments afterwards and the chance to chat with other bereaved parents at what can be a very difficult and emotional time.

I would also like to mention the guidelines for Professionals Conference on November 11th and 12th at Kippie Lodge, organised by Sandra Stephen. The interest expressed by various professionals from all over has been fantastic, and we are sure it will be a very interesting insight for everyone taking part.

It was discussed at the recent AGM whether parents preferred having meetings in peoples home or if an independent venue would be better, most people preferred the comfort of people's homes and would be put off if it was maybe held somewhere else, so for the moment meetings will remain in people's homes unless people's feelings change in the future.

We have a "New Baby Group "going on. Nina Ingram and a few of the girls have a monthly meeting in each others houses, as they feel they all have something in common that NCT etc can't provide. If interested at all please contact Nina for dates and times.

Donations

Again we have had a few very kind and greatly appreciated donations as follows;
Daniel Jamieson, baby son of Julie and Colin, kindly donated £30 in memory of his big sister Lucy.

Lisa, Graham and Nicholas Scott very kindly donated £45 to SANDS that was made from an Avon product sale in memory of Jonathon.

A brilliant £361 was very kindly donated from Sandra Stephens cousin, Marion Nicolson, who bravely did a parachute jump in memory of Beth Stephen.

A very generous donation of £1000 was given to SANDS from Julie and Calum McDonald, this money was collected in memory of their baby girl Alice Anne. Another £25 was donated by relatives in memory of Alice.

Thank you also to Mr and Mrs B.Wilson who donated £20 also in memory of Alice Anne McDonald. These are all generous donations which keeps Aberdeen SANDS going.
Stuart Gow very kindly gave £285 to the New Babies Cemetery fund at Hazlehead. This money was a collection done by workmates of Stuart when he left.

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. Nina has done a great job sorting and detailing all next pregnancy group library books.

New Arrivals

Many congratulations to Charlie and Lynne Hosie on the birth of Niamh Margaret who was born on 3rd October 08 weighing 8lbs 5 ½ oz. Niamh is a little sister to the late much loved Aiden. Very well done, enjoy your bundle of joy.

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.

Fundraising

We have set up a new fund specifically aiming to buy 1 CTG Monitor and 1 Birthing Simulator. Both important much needed equipment which we will hopefully be able to provide.

Any fundraising ideas please get in touch.

Memory Pockets

Marjory is still doing a great job keeping Rubislaw ward stocked up with Memory Pockets.

FORTHCOMING MEETINGS - All welcome...

Wed 15th Oct 8pm Next Pregnancy
Thu 6th Nov 8pm Monthly Meeting
Wed 19th Nov 8pm Next Pregnancy
Thu 4th Dec 8pm Monthly Meeting
Wed 17th Dec 8pm Next Pregnancy
Thu 8th Jan 8pm Monthly Meeting
Wed 21st Jan 8pm Next Pregnancy

Thurs 5th Feb 8pm Monthly Meeting

If you have any contributions for the next newsletter please give them or email them to me, Susan Forsyth by the end of December

If anyone would prefer to receive their Newsletter by Email rather than post, please advise Fiona Donald or myself Susan Forsyth.

Could anyone still with library books please return them if you have finished with them, thank you.

Christmas Memorial Service
Sunday 7th December 10.30am Quiet Service, 11.15am Family Service

Quarterly Memorial Service
Wednesday 10th December - 10.50am