Newsletter March 2009

Welcome to the March edition of our quarterly newsletter.

Why 17? Parliamentary Launch

The Parliamentary Launch of the Why 17? campaign took place in the House of Commons on 4^th March. There was also a lot of Press coverage throughout the day, to coincide with the launch of the Saving Babies Lives Report 2009. The report highlights why Sands believes that in many cases the devastating impact of the death of a baby on the parents, their families and friends could be prevented. Neal Long, Chief Executive of Sands reinforced the message that the deaths of 17 babies a day in the UK is totally unacceptable, and that what we want to see is a clear acknowledgement of the seriousness and extent of the problem, and a real collaborative commitment to address these individual tragedies as a matter of urgency and priority.

WHY17?

There is some new merchandise available, including a Why 17? lapel pin and new teardrop badge, as well as the Why 17? car stickers. We have some stock for sale, at £1 each which can be purchased at the service or support group meetings.

Donations

Our grateful thanks to those groups, organisations and individuals who continue to support us financially, including

Oak Lodge, Kelty

C Welsh who donated in memory of her twin grandsons

Glenrothes Spiritual Care

Bosch Rexroth Limited

Voluntary Action Fund who held a collection in memory of Belle .

Scottish Network Day

This year the Scottish Network Day will be hosted by Glasgow Sands on 16^th May at the Holiday Inn, 161 West Mile Street G1 2RL, across from Buchanan Street Bus station, and 5 minutes walk from Queen Street. The hotel are offering a special rate of £90 per room B&B should anyone wish to make a weekend of it. There will be no charge for the day, as the cost will be covered by Glasgow Sands. Network days are not just for committee members, they are open to everyone, and we are keen that as many people attend as possible. The day has a varied programme, with plenty of opportunity to meet up with other bereaved parents. It is also a good way to find out more about what groups do and the different ways people can become involved. If you would like any further information, please contact us in the usual ways.

Silver Jewellery

Thanks to Fiona for the following information

“I have been getting Adam's footprints put onto a tile a
It's Claytime in Glenrothes and have just found out they have
started doing hand or foot imprints onto silver that could be worn
on a charm bracelet or a necklace. They have just recently
started doing it and I understand they are the only place in Scotland
that are currently making these. All that is needed are the ink prints.”

Their details are:
It's Claytime
Newark Road South
Eastfield Industrial Estate
Glenrothes

Tel: 01592 779006

New Arrivals

Huge congratulations to:

Sara and Michael on the safe arrival of Toby, born on 10^th January.

Brother of the late Max.

Seán and Kelly on the safe arrival of Erin Louise, born on 18^th February.

Sister of the late Niall and Rónán, aged 19 months

Donating to Fife Sands

You can now donate money to Fife Sands via the Just Giving website. Our address is

http://www.justgiving.com/fifesands

Money can be donated via credit and debit cards, as well as through Paypal, with the added bonus that Gift Aid will be claimed back if you are a UK taxpayer. The Gift Aid element will be paid into the Scottish Network Account, which may be used to help new groups set up, or host network days.

Karen and her Walkie Talkies from Ward 5 Victoria Hospital are walking the West Highland Way from 28^th May to 2^nd June in memory of Eleanor and Marcie – you can sponsor them by following the link above – please add WHW in the comment box so we can add it to their total.

Neil is taking part in the Edinburgh Marathon on 31^st May in memory of his nephew, Adam . If donating online, please add EM to the comment box.

Services of Remembrance and Thanksgiving

The response to our advertising in the local papers for the Christmas Service was overwhelming, with over 80 people attending. This was a fantastic response, and the service was well received. Our thanks go to Ian McDonald for stepping in at short notice to conduct the service as Mark was taken ill.

The next service will be on Sunday 26^th April at 3.00pm, at St Bryce Kirk, Kirkcaldy. Volunteers are required for readings, and any home baking would be much appreciated. We will be incorporating the candles in the decorated holders into the service, as in previous years – please feel free to bring your own if you wish, although there will be a selection available. A crèche will be in operation for those who wish to use it – due to health and safety reasons, may we respectfully ask that snacks and juice are not taken into the crèche.

Apology

In a previous edition of the newsletter, a donation in memory of Melanie was attributed to the Bank of Scotland, when it actually came from the Royal Bank of Scotland. Sorry for the error.

Dates for Your Diary

26^th April – Service of Remembrance and Thanksgiving

16^th May – Scottish Network Day

28^th May – The Walkie Talkies start The West Highland Way

31^st May – Neill undertakes the Edinburgh Marathon

6^th June – Awareness stall and collection Asda Halbeath 10-4*

13^th June – Awareness stall and collection Asda Kirkcaldy 10-4*

14^th June – Balloon Release, Lochore Meadows

21^st June – Clare's Sponsored Swim – sign up now to take part!

* Volunteers are required to help at these stalls – if you can help, please forward your details. Many thanks.

Baby Gardens

We would like to have a group of volunteers to help tidy the baby gardens on a quarterly basis. If you would like to help, please forward your name, an indication of which days and/or times are most convenient and which garden(s) you would be available to help in. We will be doing general tidying, cleaning of the stones and perhaps a little planting of flowers.

The baby statue from Dunfermline Crematorium has now been returned by the police who have taken fingerprints. It will not be put back in place just yet as it is to be replaced and the sculptor needs it to help make the new one. The bench is also to be renovated, and I have spoken with Willie Greig regarding the installation of a path - we hope that work on this may start next month, finances and permission permitting.

Help Required

As Jo-Anna is now working part time, she is finding it increasingly difficult to get to the office on a regular basis. If you have a couple of hours a week to spare on a regular basis and would be willing to take phone messages and do some filing and mailing, please contact us in the usual ways. We are also looking for volunteers to join our committee to help in the general running of the group – meetings are currently held every 6-8 weeks in Cowdenbeath on Mondays and expenses are paid for any travel undertaken while carrying out duties on behalf of the group.

If I could have you for one more day

If I could have you for just one more day
What would I do , what would I say?
I would take the blanket made with love
From Grandma who looks after you above
To keep you warm I would wrap you tight and hold you through the day and night
But that’s what I did when you were here with me
There is nothing to do differently

If I could have you for one more day
What would I do, what would I say?
I would surround you with so much love
With kisses cuddles from those who care
The ones who mammy knows for her are there
But that’s what I did when you were here with me
There is nothing to do differently

If I could have you for one more day
What would I do, what would I say?
I would sing to you and let you know
Just how much we all love you so
On your skin the tears would flow
I’d wipe them away so you would never know
I’d look upon your tiny face
Your handsome features a finger would trace
But that’s what I did when you were here with me
There is nothing to do differently

If I could have you for one more day
What would I do, what would I say?
I would look at your face with pride and joy
My perfect little baby boy
The baby I carried for so long
The part of me that should live on
But that’s what I did when you were here with me
There is nothing to do differently

If I could have you for just one more day
What would I say, what would I do?
Would I really do anything new
To show how much that I love you
I sang, I cried, I held and kissed
I told you how much you would be missed
I told you that when we are apart
That you live on inside my heart
There is one thing my treasure that I would do
The act of dreams that will never be
The one thing that I would do differently
My darling Thomas this time I could not ever let you go

Written by Ashleigh

Mammy to Thomas born sleeping 9th October 2007 at 39weeks +1 x
Precious brother to James, Lizzie and Sam x