Grandad to hold fundraising ceilidh after loss of Inverness tot
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A grieving Findochty grandad is set to hold a fundraising ceilidh to raise cash for a child loss support charity.
Pete MacDonald is hoping to help his daughter Daisy raise money for Held in our Hearts, a Scottish charity providing baby loss counselling and peer support for families.
He said: "My daughter Daisy, who lives in Culloden, sadly lost her son Albie in April last year, two weeks after his first birthday.
"Sadly, there was no explanation for his death.
"As you can imagine, this was a heartbreaking event for all the family. After the first weeks of shock Daisy began looking at supporting a group in Edinburgh called Held in our Hearts. She found out that they did not have anyone in the Highlands so set about fundraising for them and highlighting the work they do.
"Over the next few months and now nearly a year of fundraising she has raised over £40,000 and has been nominated at Fundraiser of the Year in the Highlands Heroes awards.
"One highlight was during August when over 65 people walked evey day, walking miles for Albie. The plan was to walk and the miles would be totalled up. We had hoped the total would stretch from Inverness to Lands End but as the days and weeks passed the figure grew and was eventually equivalent to walking all the way to Mount Everest. A friend who was making the journey to Everest Base Camp took a photo of Albie and a Held in Our Hearts flag to the world-famous site.
"This was highlighted on social media and caught the eye of a group called Kandoo Treks, based in Cumbria, who offered to take a flag with the logo of Held in our Hearts and a photo of Albie.
"I made two flags and now the other flag has been taken to the highest mountain in Peru so Albie in spirit is a well-travelled boy."
Inspired by his daughter's strength and commitment, Pete has now decided to see if he can help Daisy's fundraising total.
He added: "For my part as his grandad I'm holding holding a music event this month with the help of a tremendous group of singers and players, all from the local folk circuit.
"It's a fantastic line up and a fine end of the year long fundraising."
The event is due to be held in Findochty Town Hall on Friday, March 22 from 7.30pm to 10.30pm. Tickets cost £10 each and can be purchased cash on the door or from Pete, phone 07379 355408.
