During our pregnancy, we found out at our 20 week scan, Gray had a Ventricular Septal Defect (a hole in the heart) and that it wouldn't have an impact on him as a child. But, when Gray was born on the 1st of October, 2019 in Aberdeen, he was immediately checked over by doctors and had multiple echoes to look at the extent of the hole in his heart. During these checks we then found out Gray also had a Coarctation of the Aorta - which meant the main tube in his heart was too tight and blood wasn't travelling round his body as efficiently as it should. A prompt decision was made for Gray to be airlifted to Glasgow Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, where he was treated and had an operation to correct the coarctation. Gray was only 9 days old at his surgery and has came on leaps and bounds since and continues to inspire us each day.

We were referred to Ronald McDonald House, Glasgow by the lovely nurses looking after Gray in the neonatal unit when we first arrived, and this enabled us to stay on sight at the hospital to be closer to him. We stayed for 9 days and the staff at the House were so helpful and kind to us during our time there - they made us feel at home. It was so nice to have a lovely room which even had a phone that connected straight to the ward Gray was staying in. We also had the ability to visit him day or night no matter what hour as we were only a couple of minutes away.

We returned to Glasgow 4 weeks after Gray's operation for a follow up and doctors were happy with how he was thriving - they couldn't believe it was the same baby. It was hard to imagine he had only had surgery a short time ago. We also popped into Ronald McDonald House to say hello and to thank staff for their kindness allowing us to stay there while being so far from home.

To say an even bigger thank you, Sam, his dad George and my brother Kris pledge to complete a sponsored bike run from Ronald McDonald House back to our home in Buckie, a massive 209 mile journey - especially for Sam having never biked any distance before!

I will organise various fundraisers to also raise money for Ronald McDonald House.

From the bottom of our hearts we cannot thank you enough for the support Ronald McDonald House has shown our family. Many families are put at ease by the staff to allow them to focus on the health of their child and not worry about where to stay. It is important organisations like this receive funding in order to keep their doors open! We would appreciate any donation towards the House no matter how big or small on behalf of our son Gray to say thank you. X

Ronald McDonald House Glasgow is a small independent Scottish charity (SC023199) that provides free ‘home away from home’ accommodation for families who have seriously sick children in hospital. The House costs in the region of £660,000 per year to run, helping over 1,400 people per year and gifting over 10,000 nights’ accommodation annually for families from across Scotland and further afield. The house has all the amenities you would find at home, enabling families to rest and recuperate in a safe haven, very close to their sick children.