Fundraiser set to celebrate the birthday of an Inverness baby who tragically died in his sleep
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A mother grieving an unimaginable loss is hosting a fundraiser in tribute to her son as she remains determined to keep his legacy alive after an unexpected tragedy robbed her family of a brother and son.
Inverness mum Daisy McKenzie and husband Eoin were delighted to welcome their newborn son, Albie, into the world on April 13, 2022.
Daisy described Albie as ‘the happiest little boy, full of smiles and mischief’.
She said: "He would always get excited when he saw buses and farm animals which brought joy to us all."
A fortnight after Albie's first birthday, the unthinkable turned the McKenzies' world upside down.
On April 27, 2023, Albie tragically died in his sleep due to sudden unexpected infant death (SUID).
Since bearing the loss of losing her youngest son, Daisy has immersed herself into fundraising to keep Albie's memory alive, in addition to raising as much funds and awareness for the baby loss charity, Held In Our Hearts.
Daisy said: “I can remember last year so clearly and how happy we all were, then everything changed.
“I’m trying to just celebrate Albie and his wonderful self and the difference he’s making.”
Daisy is set to host a quiz night starting at 7pm this Friday (April 12) at Kings Inverness, in tribute of Albie’s birthday.
She said: “We will be doing a quiz where we will also have a raffle and lots of yummy home bakes. We chose a quiz as it was the first event we did for Albie last year so it feels right to do it at the end of Albies 2nd year. We also have Held In Our Hearts coming up and we’ll present to them the total raised so far.
“I’d love to have a room full of people having fun, eating yummy snacks and remembering or thinking of our little boy.”
When talking about her motivation to continue fundraising, Daisy said: “I started fundraising as Held In Our Hearts was just getting established in the Highlands and the counseling and support helped me so much.
“It also allowed me to do things for Albie everyday which was vital for me.
"It gives me a way of actively loving Albie by directing my love into something.
"If I am feeling sad one day then I will often plan something to remember Albie.
"If he was here then I would usually be giving him a bath or serving him his dinner, but because he's not here I organise events in his memory.
"By doing that, I feel like I am still parenting Albie, but in a different way."
So far Daisy has raised over £44,000 for Held in Our Hearts through numerous fundraising events in and around Inverness.
She plans to continue on her mission to fundraise and spread as much awareness as possible for Held In Our Hearts.
"By doing that, I feel like I am still parenting Albie, but in a different way."
Daisy is eager to raise awareness for those mourning the death of a child and help raise funds for the charity's Highland branch.
