On the 25th October 2022, Cameron MacPherson Kite came peacefully into the world. Cameron was beautiful and perfect, with a wee button nose, long fingers and bright pink fingernails.

Two days earlier we had found out that Cameron had passed away at 38 and a half weeks, just seven days before he was due to be born. In that moment our lives, and the lives of our families, changed forever. We were devastated that he wouldn’t get to live the future with us that he deserved and that we had all imagined for him - but we were hugely honoured that he had chosen us as his family and proud that he had fought so hard to get to that stage of pregnancy.

Shortly after Cameron was born we became aware of the Aberdeen branch of SANDS and below we have outlined just some of their vital areas of support:

- Cameron was photographed by an amazing midwife who had received photography training via a SANDS funded initiative. We received printed copies, in an album, as well as the memory stick.

- We received a beautiful memory box with hand and footprints, and many other items we will treasure for our lifetime.

- Care in a private and quiet area of the hospital, known as a bereavement suite, where we could grieve, spend time with our wee boy, and have our family and closest friends come to meet him. SANDS help fund and design this space with grieving parents in mind.

- Continuing support from a bereavement midwife, who we can connect with at any time. They are NHS staff but SANDS supports them in terms of resources and providing insight into the needs of families.

- Access to an amazing community of women (and men) who have gone through similar experiences. They are there for text messages, coffee or monthly support meetings - the comfort from connecting with people that just ‘know’ is hard to put into words. It’s just heartbreaking that this is why we have to meet…

In addition to the support we have already received, SANDS do a huge amount more; from birthday cards on dates that others may understandably forget in the future, to reflective garden spaces and even advising planners, and fundraising, for what is needed for future bereavement facilities in the new Aberdeen Family Hospital.

With all this in mind we want to ensure that we do lots in Cameron’s memory and raise funds for SANDS across the UK. The first fundraising initiative is a big one, and one that involves many of those closest to Cammy.

Myself (Chris, Cameron’s Dad), his Uncle Andrew, his Aunty Mary and Aunty Maena are all running in Mont Blanc events in June this year.

Mary and Andrew will be taking on the absolutely huge challenge of the Mont Blanc Marathon on the 25th June. Described as a ‘breathtaking battle’ which includes rough, steep and technical slopes, their training is intensive and all-encompassing. It’s expected to take them around 9 hours to complete.

Chris and Maena will take on the “easier” challenge of the Mont Blanc 10km trail on the 24th June. This includes shorter, but just as intense, climbs and descents and is equivalent to running 13km when these elevations are taken into account.

We want to raise money as a family to ensure that other families who go through this are given the support that they need. Frighteningly, in 2020, 1 in every 225 pregnancies ended in a stillbirth and the UK has one of the highest rates in Europe. In 60% of cases stillbirths are unexplained.

Please help us raise money to support others going through this devastating loss and improve care, facilities and understanding. Cameron will be at the forefront of all our thoughts on Mont Blanc and he’ll be the motivation we need. We’re so proud of his impact on the people that love him and want to make him proud in return.

In addition, we’d like to use these events to raise funds for the Alzheimer’s Society in memory of Mary and Kat’s mum (and Cameron’s Granny), Margaret MacPherson, who also passed away in 2022. If you would prefer to give money to this cause (or split your donation), then please visit the link below - we are hugely grateful for the support to either charity.

https://www.justgiving.com/page/inmemoryofmagsmacpherson

Thank you so much

Chris, Kat (Cameron’s mum and chief cheerleader in Chamonix), Andrew, Mary and Maena x