Devastated mum in bid to help others who lose their child

Caroline Doyle, 31, has organised a Christmas fair in support of the Simpson’s Memory Box Appeal.

The charity provides mementos to help the parents of babies who have died, been stillborn or miscarried through their bereavement.

Caroline said: “The memory box helped me and I wanted to do something for other people who find themselves in the same situation.

“It’s one of the worst times in your life, so anything that can help somebody through what I’ve been through is worth doing.”

Caroline, who lives in Craigshill with husband Gordon, 27, a kitchen porter at Dobbies, and daughters, Amy, eight, and Emma, five, explained: “In May this year, I was out shopping and I could feel something running down my leg.

“I thought my waters had broken because I was 34 and a half weeks pregnant, but I went to go to the bathroom and there was a lot of blood.”

Caroline called her dad, who took her to St John’s Hospital.

She said: “At first, they checked and said they could hear a faint heartbeat, but later I was told my baby had died.”

Caroline, who named her baby Scott, had to have an emergency Caesarean section.

“Afterwards the hospital staff brought him to me and let me see him,” she said. “I was in hospital for about a week afterwards as I developed pneumonia.

“During that time I got to see him any time I wanted, but then I had to leave the hospital and they had to take him away.”

It was a heartbreaking time for Caroline, but she received some comfort when she was presented with a memory box.

The little chests are filled with mementos such as a birth acknowledgement certificate, hand and foot prints and, in some cases, photos.

The Memory Box appeal was introduced to Simpson’s Centre for Reproductive Health in Edinburgh as the result of a donation from a bereaved parent.

Caroline said: “I find it quite difficult to talk about things and I have used the box like it’s a counsellor. I’ve got two daughters and it’s the hardest thing in the world to try and explain to them why their brother is not here, especially with it coming up for Christmas.

“We find the box helps, because the girls can draw pictures or write letters to their brother.”

The Christmas fair, which has been jointly organised with Caroline’s mum Alexis Cunningham, will be held at The Paraffin Lamp, Almondvale Centre, from 1.30pm to 4.30pm on Friday, December 9.

There will be a wide range of stalls offering handmade jewellery, stocking fillers, decorations, knitted goods and homemade body scrubs.

Santa will be handing out gifts for a small donation to the cause.

Caroline is still looking for donations of raffle prizes.

Individuals or business who would like to contribute can contact her on 077163 06983.