October/November 2011 newsletter
HELPLINE: 0870 7606649
EMAIL: help@aberdeensands.com
ADDRESS:
PO BOX 12113
ABERDEEN AB16 9DX
QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER
CHAIRPERSON: Fiona Donald RUBISLAW LIASON: Sandra Stephen
SECRETARY: Susan Forsyth MEMORY POCKETS: Marjory Simpson
TREASURER: Judith MacKenzie NEXT PREG GROUP: Lindsey Raeburn
HELPLINE ROTA:Fiona Donald NEWSLETTER: Susan and Lindsey
ANNIVERSARY CARDS :Pamela Styles WEBSITE:Vacancy
BEFRIENDER CO ORDINATOR:Fiona Donald
RUBISLAW BUYER:Kerry Shearer
We are pleased to say great progress has been made on the Hazelhead Baby Cemetery Memorial Garden. The stone,pathway and benches have now been laid providing a beautiful and peaceful site in memory of all precious lost babies, no matter where they are buried. A Just Giving site has been set up to allow easy donation for further development of the garden, including a wall and planting. You can find the site at www.justgiving.com/aberdeensands .
Many thanks to Mark Rodgers for the touching dedication cermony that took place on October the 2nd.
One of the first points of contacts with SANDS for bereaved parents is the national website and our own Aberdeen SANDS websirte. Following our recent AGM the committee have decided that the Aberdeen SANDS website needs upgrading to meet those needs. If anyone knows a website designer interested in assisting with this, please email help@aberdeensands.com. We would like to thank Scott Ingram and Jill Watt for their work on the website, and we will also require someone to keep it updated. Please get in touch if you can help.
SANDS have funded two midwives, one from Rubislaw Ward at AMH and one from Neo natal Unit to attend the SANDS/Bliss conference on September 15th 2011.
Thank you to Kerry Shearer for supplying Rubislaw Ward with teddies and blankets. Kerry has also joined the committee as Rubislaw buyer.
Lindsey is assisting Susan with the newsletter and Sandra is assisting Susan with the thank you's.
Just a reminder that the Christmas memorial service will be held on December 11th in the chapel at ARI. There will be a quiet service at 10.30am and a family service at 11.15am. It is a lovely service with refreshments available afterwards and the chance to meet other bereaved parents at what can be a difficult and emotional time.
DONATIONS
A BIG thank you to solicitors Maclay, Murray and Spens who have chosen Aberdeen SANDS as their nominated charity for one year. So far they have raised £442.00 with various events including a dress down day and a recipe book.
Thank you to Susan Brown who raised £80.00 from a Virgin Vie Party.
£172.00 was raised by Shona Christie who held a raffle at her work in memory of her granddaiughter Kara Mennie. This sum was generously matched by Shona's employers William Grant & Sons Diistillers of Dufftown. Shona's daughter Kay Mennie would like to dedicate some money to buy memory boxes for Rubislaw Ward and the rest to go into the memorial garden fund.
Britannia Operator Ltd held a bake sale in memory of Ben Elder, precious son of Laura and Mark and raised an amazing £1560.00 - many thanks! Sarah Stalker held a shpping evening in aid of SANDS also in memory of Ben. Thank you for your efforts.
Natasha Hauzaree and Lynsey, John and Lucy Spiers battled the elements on September 19th , to complete the Aberdeen 5K at Hazlehead Park, raising over £1000.00 for SANDS. An excellent effort, well done.
Thirty Spree Books were sold in aid of SANDS this year raising about £150.00 for our funds. Thanks to everyone who bought a book and happy voucher spending.
DATES FOR THE DIARY
PAMPER AND CHRISTMAS SHOPPING EVENING at Airyhall Community Centre on Friday 11th November 19.30 to 21.30 in aid of SANDS Memorial Garden. Come along and do some Christmas shopping and have some pampering! Tickets cost £5.00 which includes refreshements and are available on the door and from sandrastephen@btopenworld.com.
The Kirsty Spiers and Roddy MacDonald Fundraiser. This 80's/90's night is to be held on 11th November at the Caledonain Golf Club from 7pm to midnight to raise money for Aberdeen SANDS, Rubislaw Ward and Ward 40 at ARI. Tickets are available from Lyndsey Spiers on email PMLyndsey@aol.com .
Kim Cruickshank Fundraiser. Martine Watt and family are holding a fundraiser in memory of their precious daughter Kim Cruickshank at the Carlton Hotel on December 9th at 7.30pm. Tickets cost £5.00 for a disco,raffle and buffet with proceeds going to Aberdeen SANDS. Details from martinewatt@hotmail.co.uk.
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, details are listed below.
NEW ARRIVALS
Congratulations and best wishes on the birth of Alexander Philip Robin MacKenzie, son to Rita and Sandy and little brother to the late Joseph, on the 12th August. Alexander weighed 7lbs 6oz.
Many congratulations to Rachel and Steve Taylor on the birth of Finn Archie Stephen Taylor. Finn was born on the 2nd September,7lbs 9oz. little brother to the late Archie.
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 baby's name and date of passing, by email to help@aberdeensands.com
MEMORY POCKETS
Marjory is still doing a great job keeping Rubislaw ward stocked up with Memory Pockets
FORTHCOMING MEETINGS- All welcome
Thursday 3rd November 8pm Monthly Meeting Susan Forsyth's home
Wednesday 16th November 8pm Next Pregnancy Sandra Stephen's home
Thursday 1st December 8pm Monthly Meeting Susan Forsyth's home
Wednesday 14th December 8 pm Next Pregnancy Catherine Curran's home
Thursday 12th January 8pm Monthly Meeting Fiona Donald's home
Wednesday 18th January 8pm Next Pregnancy Pamela Style's home
Thursday 2nd February 8pm Monthly Meeting Lindsey Raeburn's home
We have purchased a few new books lately and have updated our book list. Please contact Lindsey Raeburn if you would like a copy of the list. However just a reminder to please try to return library books when you are finished as others may want to borrow them. If you are not sure where to return books to please email help@aberdeensands.com. Thank you.
CHAPLAINCY DATE:
Service and Location
Quarterly Memorial Services for early miscarried babies
EAST CHAPEL, Aberdeen Crematorium Wednesday 14th Decmeber 10.30am
SANDS CHRISTMAS SERVICE Sunday December 11th 10.30am quiet service and 11.15 family service at ARI chapel