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Daily Record
Daily Record
National
Nicola Findlay

Lanarkshire family keep memory of beloved baby boy alive by sharing little 'bags of joy'

A family left heartbroken by the loss of their baby boy have vowed to help others through their grief.

Angela Kenney, 38, and Gordon Campbell, 41, founded a not-for-profit organisation, Arran Campbell, in memory of their son who was stillborn at just over 37 weeks.

The couple, from East Kilbride, hope by sharing their personal heartache, others will not feel alone.

In memory of son Arran, they place special bags of gifts around locations in East Kilbride to help spread a little joy to others.

And on what would have been Arran's second birthday on July 1, they did so again this year.

Angela told Lanarkshire Live : "The news that Arran was no longer with us was the last thing we were expecting.

"I had been for a scan on the Friday and everything seemed perfectly fine.

"I then had an appointment on the Tuesday to discuss Arran's delivery.

Angela Kenney and Gordon Campbell with one of the Cuddle Cots they have donated to University Hospital Wishaw. (East Kilbride News)

"That was at Hunter Health Centre and it was there we were told a heartbeat couldn't be detected and we were sent to Wishaw General.

"I thought he was still safe and well in my stomach, but I learned what I felt was mild contractions."

Angela and Gordon decided to return home after they were told that they would have to wait till the next day for Arran to be delivered.

"It was a devastating blow for everyone. We were all eagerly awaiting Arran's arrival, but it was in a way none of us could ever imagine."

Angela described the journey to hospital the next day as a "blur," but said staff at Wishaw General were "angels on this earth" with their kindness and compassion.

Following Arran's passing, the family, although utterly devastated by their loss, wanted to help others.

"The not-for-profit is our way of dealing with grief," said Angela. "We wanted to change loss into something meaningful, something so tragic into something a little bit more positive."

"The gift bags on Arran's birthday and all the other work we do gives us something to focus on.

"We leave out 10 gifts bags, including at the Heritage Park, Calderglen and Langlands, where we spent time walking when I was pregnant with Arran during lockdown."

The bags contain arts and crafts materials, a candle to be lit in memory of Arran on his birthday and sweeties and a cake.

The gift bags Angela and Gordon leave in memory of Arran on his birthday (EKN)

Angela went on: "We were contacted by three lovely families who found the bags and the little bit of delight they got in finding them was absolutely priceless to us."

She added: "It can feel like you are the only one this loss happens to but there are thousands and thousands out there who have been in this position.

"A parent's worst fear is that their baby will be forgotten - we want Arran and all the other babies like him to be remembered."

One of the gift bags was found by a family at James Hamilton Heritage Park and the mum whose little one found it paid a touching tribute on social media.

Ink presses for Arran's family to remember him by (Angela Kenney)

She wrote: "On our walk this morning at James Hamilton Heritage Park we spotted this bag.

"Myself and my two-year-old son wanted to say thank you for leaving this.

"What a lovely positive and kind thing to do in the face of what must be unbearable grief. Your son will always be remembered. Happy heavenly Birthday Arran Campbell."

Angela and Gordon also fund a whole host of other projects through their not-for-profit group.

Angela Kenney and Gordon Campbell from East Kilbride with members of the NHS Lanarkshire maternity team in the memorial garden at University Hospital Wishaw (East Kilbride News)

This includes donating Cuddle Cots to Wishaw General, which allows families to spend more time with the little ones they have lost at home if they choose, providing memory boxes, care packages and Arran Bear soft toys.

They are also hoping to provide sibling packs soon for brothers and sisters.

Every penny the couple raise goes back to helping others and they have a charity night planned on July 30 at EK Rugby Club in Calderglen.

Tickets are £5 for adults and children go free.

Go the the Arran Campbell website for contact details to buy tickets or the Facebook page for more information.

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