Big Loch Ness pedal by Inverness businessman will support baby loss mothers
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PEDAL power will help an Inverness businessman generate thousands of pounds for a charity which helps those affected by the loss of a baby during pregnancy.
Peter Henderson (49), who runs the Milk Bar in the Victorian Market, is hoping his participation in this Sunday’s Etape Loch Ness will be a money-spinner for SiMBA.
It comes after he found out that his mother suffered 12 miscarriages before she had him.
He said: “I checked with my gran, who is still alive, and my three aunties and that story is true – my mum passed away sadly five years ago so I could never ask her.
“I actually only found this out quite recently. I did not know my mum had 12 miscarriages and I did not know I had a twin at birth.
“Obviously it seems a bit unlikely, 12 miscarriages is a lot – maybe they were all quite early on as well, they weren’t all stillborns but they were miscarriages.”
The money will go towards a much-needed bereavement suite of rooms in Raigmore Hospital which will give bereaved parents a quiet and private space at a very difficult time.
He said: “I have personally not been in the position where I have lost a child at birth and I can’t imagine what it would be like for anyone who has.
“If I was in a couple who had lost a baby I would want to spend at least a few moments with them – some people want to spend the night with their child – and why shouldn’t they have something like that?”
He has raised more than £3200 so far. He raised around £1800 for Cancer Research when he completed the 66-mile Etape Loch Ness two years ago.
“That was the first time I had actually ever cycled more than from my house to my shop – so I did a wee bit of training for that,” said Mr Henderson, of Crown.
However, there were doubts last month when he needed an operation on his jaw, but added: “It seems OK so I am going to go ahead with it.”
Meanwhile, a new group is set to launch in the Inverness area aiming to help bereaved couples affected by a miscarriage.
Abi Clarke, the 31-year-old chairwoman and founder of MISS, said there was already a group operating in the north east of Scotland.
“We have various platforms of support including online and face-to-face support groups and one-to-ones, a phone service which runs 24 hours seven days per week, pregnancy after loss and different pathway services,” she added.
“We also work closely with maternity hospitals – including Aberdeen, Peterhead and Inverness – to provide materials and support their bereavement teams, as well as bereaved parents after a loss.
“Our online support group in the Highlands will start on Friday, August 27, with our Highlands support co-ordinator Lucy Ross leading. This will be an informal, free of charge and relaxed session.
“We will have a speaker to give a mini workshop on providing support after a miscarriage then open discussion.”
She said there were already almost 4000 members covering Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire and they had received a lot of feedback about various hospital experiences in the Highlands. She added: “MISS would like to support others, ensure you do not feel alone and advise on next steps for pregnancy too.”
n To make a donation to Mr Henderson, visit https://bit.ly/3lhpQAG and to join the MISS Highland group email info@miss-support.org.uk
