We’ve went back and forth about sharing this and wouldn’t normally share something so personal to us on social media but feel it’s for the greater good.

In the last week we went through every parent’s worst nightmare. Our little Leila was taken into hospital, initially with what we thought were some minor breathing issues that quickly escalated. We were told she had pneumonia.

After a night in hairmyres Leila’s condition went downhill and they advised us we needed to prepare for Leila being put in an induced coma and a ventilator to stabilise her and control her oxygen levels and that the ScotSTAR team were on their way to take her to The Royal Children’s Hospital.

I’ll never be able to put into words how this moment felt, watching our baby girl attached to so many machines and lying on that trolley in the ambulance is the most horrendous thing we’ve ever had to endure as a family.

When we arrived at the Queen Elizabeth they worked quickly and managed to get her to a much better, stable place. She spent the next few days in hospital recovering and really turned a corner and they got her to a point they were happy to let her home.

She is the most incredible, resilient little girl and took what must have been the most terrifying situation for her completely in her stride. We’re so amazed at her strength and so were all of the team.

Our gratitude for all the teams involved who helped her is immense. People have a lot to say about the NHS - however we watched first hand these nurses and doctors who are under immense pressure in their jobs providing not only incredible care to our little girl, but to us too. Their compassion, thoroughness, support and generally just being amazing human beings is something we will never be able to repay.

The team at hairmyres truly saved her life, they don’t even have a paediatrics team or equipment and I cannot explain how incredible they were, they left no stone unturned and supported us through the most difficult moments.

The ScotSTAR service is out of this world, I never knew this existed to be honest, but wow what an incredible bunch of humans they are. Supporting us through the most horrendous, (what felt) long journey of our lives I have never felt safer and more supported.

The team at the Royal Children’s Hospital are total angels, their specialist care for kiddies is just wonderful and they were amazing with her (even in the last day or so when it got really difficult and Leila was so fed up) - believe me, being in that hospital makes you count your lucky stars. To think what these staff are dealing with and still have a smile on their face all day long.

As parents, when the dust settles and the adrenaline has worn off you begin to feel worse. As much as we can recognise we are so blessed and lucky that we had a positive outcome that some parents do not, it doesn’t change the feelings and flashbacks you’re left with.

Mark and I want to use this energy and turn this into something positive. On the 12th September 2026 we are taking part in ‘The Banchory Beast’ to raise money for Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity (who also directly support ScotSTAR) & Charlie House who have given us the opportunity to do this and do incredible work for children.

Neither of us can actually run the length of ourself at the moment which is pretty hilarious - some fitness training is definitely due to commence (ha!)

Any penny you can spare is SO greatly appreciated and if you can’t donate please help us by sharing this.

I never knew all of these services existed, and never understood how important they are until we truly needed them 🤍

LETS DO THIS 💪🏽👟

Thank you so much

Mark & Emma xx