On our Wonderful Island of Arran we face the consequences of rural living on a daily basis. when it comes to Maternity care we have a wonderful service mainly run by one island based midwife. Many families decide that birthing their baby on Arran is the best option for them, although restrictions do apply and very often not many women can actually successfully birth their child on the island with 2 midwives at the small unit at our Hospital on the island. Any sign of anything going wrong or a strong chance of complications then you have to go to AMU on the mainland where they have more medical professional and equipment.

At times women and their families are left in a position where at any point between 36-40wks gestation can be told that they have to go to AMU and that it is no longer possible to risk a Home Birth style Birth at the unit. This is a very stressful and very expensive time for these families. Costs such as hotel for the partner and possibly other children, child care costs, travel expenses and food expenses are very high. We plan to set up this charity known as Arran Maternity Support Group to ease the stress in emergency situations like stated above and also emergency medical evacuations by helicopter, so that we can help cover these costs and ease the stress and worry of the situation.

on Average it costs £100 per night to be away in these situations.

If you have been in this situation then you will understand how stressful and problematic it can be for everyone involved. Please help us by donating anything you can so we can provide this service and support to our ever expanding island families!