We are fundraising on behalf of our beautiful son, Arran - we have named this page “Arrans Adventures” as we want to give him as many adventures as possible (through us), while also raising money for a cause close to our hearts.

Our much longed for little Arran came into this world a bit early, at 31 weeks and 5 days, due to complications with preeclampsia. He was born on 22nd June at 4.48pm, weighing 3lbs 6oz and 43cm long! Although he was born early, Arran was healthy, perfect, and so beautiful. He cried as soon as he arrived, and it was like music to us - the most beautiful sound in the world! He had his daddy’s eyes and furrowed brow, my lips and chin and chubby cheeks. He had lots of hair too, which was no surprise but explained the heartburn! I’ve never seen a more beautiful baby - the rush of love we felt was so surreal - I’ve never felt a love like it, he took my breath away.

Arran needed some help in NICU with his breathing due to being born prematurely, which we had been expecting. The NICU team were great, we had been shown around the ward before Arran’s delivery and we knew what to expect. We went down to visit him after my surgery, spending time just staring at him and wondering how on Earth we created such a perfect baby! He was doing so well, his little eyes tight shut but his legs kicking about, like he was dreaming. My husband was sent home to sleep and I was moved to my room to get some rest, and we planned to meet up again in the morning to spend the day with our boy.

Our lives came crashing down just 12 hours later, when I was woken before 5am to the news that Arran was very poorly, they had tried to resuscitate him, but he wasn’t responding. Our beautiful boy had died. I could never explain the pain to you. Losing a child is an indescribable pain - my heart broke that day. 

With the support of the amazing midwives and staff at Forth Valley Women & Children, as well as the neonatal team and bereavement team, we were able to spend time with Arran. We were given a private room where our immediate family could visit, and with the help of a cuddle cot we were able to spend time with Arran - holding him, cuddling him, and making as many memories as possible. No time would ever be enough with our beautiful son, but the time we were given was so precious to us and the memories we have with him will stay with us all of our lives. We have also received invaluable support since returning home, and we are so grateful for that. 

Our baby’s legacy is so important to us - in the short time we had him he taught us so much, and has made us better people and better parents. There are no words to describe how his loss is affecting us, but I can tell you there is no mummy prouder of her baby than I am. 

We are raising money for the Neonatal department at Forth Valley, to help support them in caring for premature and poorly babies - if our support and your generosity can help spare even one family from the pain we are going through, we will have done our baby proud 🤍

Thank you for visiting our page, and for any donations you can give - 

Natalie, Neil & Arran xxx

“Rest your head close to my heart,

Never to part,

Baby of mine” 🤍