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Daily Record
Daily Record
National
Toni Lennox

Scots firefighter mum climbing 10 Munros in month-long tribute to tragic baby son

An ultra-fit Ayrshire mum is climbing 10 Munros this month in honour of her late son's would-be 10th birthday.

Firefighter Denise Campbell is raising vital funds for Ayrshire Baby Loss and the Fire Service Family Trust who supported her when first-born child Joseph died shortly after his birth.

In past years, the Irvine mum would give out lotto tickets to strangers with her two children Alexx, 8, and Max, 7, to mark Joseph's birthday but has now decided to take on a Munros challenge.

So far, Denise has completed five out of the 10 Munros; Ben Cruachan, Stob Daimh, Ben Lui, Ben a'chleibh, and Ben Nevis.

Speaking to Ayrshire Live while on her way to climb Glen Coe, Denise said: "It's a memorial tour for me and a way to raise money for the charities that helped me out when Joseph died.

"There were issues with his birth and Joseph died just after he was born.

"Every year on Joseph's birthday we make it a family day. Alexx, Max and I give out toys or leave them around the village in Joseph's memory and give out lottery tickets to strangers.

"It's quite nice to read the Facebook messages from people who have gotten a ticket or toy. No one has won anything major from the lotto tickets so far. One person even promised they'd half it with me, though.

"I do a fair amount of walking but never 10 Munros in a row. A lot of the friends I met at Ayrshire Baby Loss have done their own fundraisers on their children's 10th birthday and I wanted to raise funds, but in my own way by doing something outdoorsy.

"I should be working today but luckily I have colleagues covering for me so I can do this throughout August.

"The first day was quite hard going but it was worth it and then by the time I got to Ben Nevis, it wasn't easy, but it felt like one of the easier ones.

"Ben Nevis took me two hours and 45 minutes to get up and the other four have taken all day.

"It has been emotional as it's an entire month of fundraising in Joseph's memory rather than one day."

Denise hopes to complete all 10 Munros by Monday, August 8 and all the proceeds will go towards the charities that supported her in the aftermath of losing her baby.

Mum Denise lays a rock at the top of a Munro for Joseph (Submitted/Irvine Herald)

Speaking to parents who have lost their children, Denise advised: "Talking about the loss is the way to go. Everyone's story is different but continuing to talk about it will help bring closure.

"After we lost Joseph, two charities really helped out; The Fire Service Family Trust and Ayrshire Baby Loss.

"The Fire Service Family Trust has respite homes for bereaved families of firefighters. We visited their house in Spain six weeks after Joseph died with my parents and it really helped us.

"Ayrshire Baby Loss is a great support system and they have a room inside Crosshouse Hospital for grieving parents, which I got to stay in, and they have a cold cot for babies so parents can have time with them."

Joseph's birthday is Wednesday, August 24, and, on that day, Denise will ascent Conic Hill with her two children.

Denise added: "I'm walking the Munros with the help of my friends but on Joseph's birthday, Alexx and Max will walk Conic Hill with me because they are still too little to walk the bigger hills.

"We're all excited to get to the top and eat some birthday cake."

To make a donation to Joesph's birthday memorial, click here.

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