Thanks for taking the time to visit our just giving page and for taking the time to read our story.

The happiest day of our lives was 25 March 2013 when we found out we were going to have a baby.  The worst day of our lives was 16 July 2013 when we found out our baby was too sick to survive. 

On 20 July 2013 we went to St John's hospital and knew we had the hardest hours of our lives ahead of us.  We asked ourselves over and over how would we get through this?  How would we cope seeing happy parents with their newborn babies when our world was falling apart around us? How would we feel when we seen our baby and how much time would we be able to spend with him?  How would we cope leaving the hospital empty handed and face the future thereafter?

On arrival at the hospital we were admitted to the family room, a homely room away from the hustle and bustle of the maternity ward.  A safe haven for parents in our situation.  This is where our beautiful baby son, Findlay Francis McMillan, was born sleeping that evening at 1937.  We were in awe of our tiny baby and didn't want to let him go.  A special cold cot was provided which allowed us to spend the night with our baby boy and a medical photographer came and took photographs giving us the chance to create precious family memories which we can treasure forever.  Saying goodbye to our son the next day was the the hardest thing we have ever had to do, however, we did not leave the hospital empty-handed we were gifted with a precious memory box which included Findlay's hand and footprints, a birth acknowledgement certificate and little knitted teddies.

Since leaving the hospital we have realised we are not alone in our despair.  We have received great support and comfort through closed facebook groups, group support meetings and counselling.  We also have a permanent reminder of our son on the Edinburgh Tree of Tranquility.

These are only some of the things which SiMBA and SANDS-Lothians have provided to us in our time of need.  Both charities work closely with hospitals and beareaved parents to improve hospital services and provide support and comfort.

Many people have asked us if there is a charity they could donate to in memory of Findlay and for this reason we have set up this page and funds will be split equally between SiMBA and SANDS-Lothians. 

This is our way of saying thanks for all the support we have received and to keep our baby son's memory alive.

Fundraising to date has involved a car boot sale, a charity walk, cake sales at Standard Life, sales of handmade jewellery and an online auction.  The next big event will be a 26.2 mile walk on Saturday 14 June 2014 in the Edinburgh area which Gavin and his kind and caring (and fit!) friends and work colleagues are doing with all funds going to our page.  With huge thanks to all the walkers Gavin McMillan, Gary McMillan, Lorraine Bannan, Neil Grant, Fiona Taylor, Lisa Taylor, Niki Reid, Lucy Adams and Angela Burt. The page will close to donations on 31 July 2014 after we have marked Findlay's 1st birthday on 20 July 2014.  Thank you for reading xxx

Further information can be found on both charities at http://www.simbacharity.org.uk/ and http://www.sands-lothians.org.uk/

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