Inverness baby to be remembered at Mount Everest
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
An inspiring fundraiser in memory of an Inverness baby is set to culminate in a trip to Mount Everest.
Inverness parents Daisy and Eoin McKenzie have thrown themselves into fundraising since the tragic death of their son Albie, just a fortnight after his first birthday.
The Albie's Gift initiative is supporting the Held in our Hearts charity which provides counselling support for those who have suffered baby loss.
Albie's tragic passing was explained as Sudden Unexplained Infant Death.
The centrepiece fundraising effort by his inspirational family began as a collective attempt to walk the length of the UK, but the family and their supporters quickly smashed through that finish line and have in fact covered a total distance of 6629 miles – taking them, virtually speaking, to the top of Mount Everest.
Mum Daisy is absolutely delighted at the success of the mission.
"It was such a success," she said. "Thirty-six JustGiving pages were set up – some individuals, some teams, some businesses.
"We’ve had a Facebook chat for the walkers and it’s been lovely seeing everyone’s pictures and routes they took in memory of precious Albie.
"Each week I’d be so looking forward to gathering all our miles in so I could see where we’d reached. The walking team had a real buzz about it.
"For me personally the walk also gave me space to remember and think of Albie. I hope it did the same for others.
"We have walked 6629 miles between us all meaning we have reached the top of Everest!"
Now it looks likely that little Albie will, in his own way, actually make it to the top of the world's highest peak.
"As a pipe dream I thought maybe I could get in touch with an explorer going up Everest and they could take a flag with little Albie's face and the Held in our Hearts logo on it," Daisy said. "And it worked!
"A lovely explorer, Lauren from Kandoo Adventures, is going to carry Albie's flag to two of the base camp peaks (5357m up).
"She is then going to see if another explorer can take it up the final summit so Albie will literally be on top of the world."
Lauren is set to make her journey in November.
Daisy said: "In total we raised an amazing £5066 which will mean so, so much to the charity."
Tracy Watt, fundraising manager for Held in our Hearts, shared her gratitude with all those who had helped achieve the sum raised.
"As a team we want to thank you all for your incredible hard work and dedication in making sure that we can support families in the Highlands," she said.
"We thank you for your support of Daisy and Eoin in memory of Albie.
"You have helped us to reach more grieving families and for that we are truly grateful."
The fundraising doesn't stop here for Albie's Gift.
A quiz night was held recently at King's Church in Inverness and now a party night is being planned for the Glen Mhor Hotel in Inverness on Friday, November 3.
The evening will start at 7pm and is set to include live music, a ceilidh, buffet and silent auction on the night.
Prizes will be advertised on the Albie's Gift Facebook page throughout October allowing bids to be placed even by those not able to attend on the night.
Tickets go on sale from Monday, £25 a head. To book, call or text Daisy on 07892 719183.
