October/November 09
Hi everyone, Apologies for the Newsletter running late again!
A quick reminder, SANDS Christmas service in the ARI chapel Sunday 6th December and as normal refreshments will be served afterwards; also there will be SANDS merchandise for sale too. Service times follow at the end of this newsletter.
We had the AGM as usual in September, nothing major to report; all positions remain the same for the moment, but we would like to welcome Jill Watt and Judith McKenzie on board to the committee.
The Crematorium stone is now in place, we had a dedication service on the 30th September done by Jim Simpson. It was an emotional and lovely service and Sandra Riddell from Rubislaw ward very kindly joined us too.
We continue to thank those bereaved parents who give time to answer the helpline as it means so much. We would also like to thank PetersonSBS for the continual support ie photocopying etc, it is all greatly appreciated. Sonia Gow will be getting in touch with the Robert Gordon's about doing a parents story in the Midwifery course, I am sure you will agree this will be extremely helpful. We are hoping to have befriender training in Aberdeen at some point, so perhaps older befrienders may wish to be refreshed or anyone else interested will be more than welcome.
Fiona and Sandra from Aberdeen SANDS and another couple of girls from the Aberdeenshire area, travelled to the Scottish Parliament on the 18th November. There were other bereaved parents from SANDS groups from around Scotland and they marched with banners (which had the names of some of the babies who were sadly still born or who died shortly after birth) up the Royal Mile. They then lit 17 candles outside the Scottish Parliament, to represent the17 babies that sadly die in the UK every day and they entered the Scottish Parliament in which some MSP's attended. Ken Livingstone and Shona Robison pledged to support Sands with £20000 over the next two years to help SANDS improve support for parents after their baby has sadly died and provide appropriate training and education for staff, so that they are better equipped to support bereaved parents. They also asked for more research into still birth and hopefully have raised the profile of SANDS and how babies' lives could be saved. Hopefully they will have made a difference and we thank these girls for making the effort to attend.
Donations
A BIG thank you go to the following people for their kind donations.
Eleanor Hayward (community councillor) donated £83.36 after service held at Clovenside Cemetery in Forres.
Robert Lambie and Cherly Jones very sadly lost their baby girl Sophie on the 2nd September, a collection in lieu of flowers at Sophie's funeral raised £299.51 and this was kindly donated to Aberdeen SANDS.
David Chittleburgh kindly donated £208.20 from a 50th birthday party.
Julie Murray ran the Baker Hughes 10k and raised £115.00 for Aberdeen SANDS.
Some of our own group, Julie, Colin, Sandra, Davie, Nina and Julie McD. All ran the Baker Hughes 10k and raised £2542 which is fantastic.
Sharon Thomson, Adam Richardson and Ross Lindsay from Baker Hughes PQ raised a fantastic £200 after running in the Co-op 5k run.
Ina McKenzie and all the Knit and Natter group who do a great job supplying Rubislaw ward with shawls etc
Also many thanks to Julie Jamieson's friend Marie Grieve, who also continues to knit for Rubislaw ward too.
Alan Stuart organised a 40th birthday and donated the proceeds to SANDS in memory of his nephew Declan John Stuart who was sadly still born 10 years ago, Alan raised £600 which is absolutely great and Fiona and Sandra collected Alan's Cheque and had their photo in the Ellon Times.
New Arrivals
A BIG well done to Judith and Eaen McKenzie on the birth of Jessica Erin McKenzie on 7th November 09 weighing 7lbs 13ozs. Jessica is a little sister to Kirsty, Rebecca and the late ever remembered Rachael.
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
We are continuing to Fundraise to purchase vital equipment for Aberdeen Maternity Hospital so if anyone has any ideas for fundraising please get in touch with Sandra Stephen on 01224 319685. If any bereaved parents felt there was any equipment in particular we could purchase for the hospital, big or small, please let us know.
Memory Pockets
Marjory is still doing a great job keeping Rubislaw ward stocked up with Memory Pockets.
FORTHCOMING MEETINGS - All welcome...
Wed 16th Dec 8pm Next Pregnancy: Pamela Styles home
Thu 7th Jan 8pm Monthly Meeting Sandra Stephen's home
Wed 20th Jan 8pm Next Pregnancy Lyndsey Raeburn's home
Thu 4th Feb 8pm Monthly Meeting Fiona Donald's Home
Wed 17th Feb 8pm Next Pregnancy Julie McDonald's home
Thu 4th March 8pm Monthly Meeting Susan Forsyth's home
If you have any contributions for the next newsletter please give them or email them to Susan Forsyth by the end of December, Thank you. My email is forkie@btopenworld.com or contact Susan on 01224 684208.
CHAPLAINCY DATES FOR 2009:-
Quarterly Memorial Services
Wed 9th December - 10.50 am
SANDS Christmas Service
Sunday 6th December - 10.30 Quiet Service, 11.15 Family Service