The heartbroken mum of a baby girl who was tragically lost at 26 weeks has organised a fundraiser in honour of an incredible charity which has given her vital support.
Gemma Wallace, of Pappert in Bonhill, has been left distraught by the death of Maisie Wallace Whyte, who was stillborn.
She found out she was pregnant shortly after her 40th birthday in September, and was busy preparing for Maisie’s arrival when tragedy struck.
Doctors gave her the heartbreaking news that Maisie had a heart defect.
After her devastating loss, Gemma turned to organisations for support but found solace in one charity in particular – Baby Loss Retreat.
It was set up by North Lanarkshire couple Bryan and Julie Morrison in honour of their late daughter Erin, who was stillborn at 37 weeks.
Baby Loss Retreat supports all those affected by miscarriage, stillbirth and neonatal death, providing one-to-one support, counselling and giving bereaved parents the opportunity to go away on tranquil retreats.
Gemma said: “I found out I was pregnant shortly after my 40th birthday and had been on a high since. It was a total miracle and I had had lots of scans, a wee baby lunch and a gender celebration.
“At six months pregnant on March 17, our lives changed forever, pain I can’t put into words. As it turned out she wasn’t a very well little girl and had a heart complication.
“I was lost in world-shattering pain for days. I will never forget telling our parents the news as we tried to process the information ourselves.
“Our beautiful girl Maisie Wallace Whyte was born at 26 weeks on March 25 at 7.30am. We left the hospital with a box later that day.
“I was passed round various services to relive the trauma over and over while I mentally struggled with this gap in my life.
“Grieving not only for our baby but the future we had planned as a family.”
Gemma was recommended to contact Baby Loss Retreat and told how the support she has since received has meant so much. She explained: “I sent the charity a message and then Julie phoned me. We chatted, and we cried, and I felt listened to.
“I’ll be having my fourth one-to-one counselling session soon and I can’t even explain how much I have progressed during that time. I’m still having bad days. Last time when I spoke to the counsellor I was having a good day and she said to hold on to that and remember that when I was having a bad day.
“Advice like that has really helped and there’sf nothing else like this locally.
“I’ve learned that everyone’s grief is different and normal. The way that I feel has been validated and that means so much.”
Gemma has set up a JustGiving page in a bid to generate £1000 for the charity, and has smashed her target, raising £1,021. Money has been raised through kind donations, including through a fundraising book sale at Balloch House Hotel, organised by Gemma’s friend Jacqueline Lamont. Another friend’s nephew is talented young singer Jack Mullen, who will be busking at Helensburgh Summer Festival at 1pm on Saturday to raise money for the cause.
Gemma added: “We cant bring Maisie back but I can raise awareness of this service and give someone else the chance to receive the support I am currently getting as Maisie’s mum. It affects so many people. I’ve been quite vocal on Facebook about my story and I’ve had well over 40 people messaging me telling me theirs.
“Jacqueline and the staff at Balloch House Hotel kindly offered to raise some funds and awareness in Maisie’s name.
“To support a parent through six counselling sessions and two days retreat costs £500.
“This will help the parent get the support that is needed after leaving the hospital if they wish to take support straight away.
“Raising £1000 will support two families.
Julie Morrison, of the charity, told the Lennox Herald she was extremely grateful to Gemma, commenting: “Fundraising is so important to us and ensures we can provide what we do.
“I’d like to say a big thanks to Gemma and her friends. We’re really grateful and their support will ensure we can continue to help other families.”
To donate to Gemma’s fundraiser visit here
More information on Baby Loss Retreat can be found here
