Fife family helps fund counselling service in memory of daughter Grace

A charitable organisation set up by a Fife family in memory of their daughter Grace, who was stillborn, has raised over £10,000 for the Kingdom’s fetal medicine unit.

Fiona and Ryan Cridland started raising money for the team in the department at Kirkcaldy’s Victoria Hospital to say thank you for their support at such a difficult time in their lives.

Fiona (41) fell pregnant in March, 2016, after a long process and three attempts at IVF.

However, at her 20-week scan, the couple learnt their baby had hydrops, an accumulation of fluid, in their case caused by her lungs failing to develop, and that it was most likely their baby would die in the womb. Sadly, eight weeks later, daughter Grace was stillborn.

They received a great deal of support from the team at the Fetal Medicine Unit, led by Dr Tydeman.

Ryan (31) said: “Throughout this devastating time our lifeline became the team in the Fetal Medicine Unit and it is impossible to explain the impact they had on our lives.

“As a result of this care we decided to raise money to donate to the unit in order for them to continue to support couples and families who need additional support through their pregnancies.

“The staff at the hospital were just incredible and we got to know them really well.

“We initially had a target of £1000 in order to just donate it to the hospital as a thank-you.

“But within 24 hours we had raised £1000 through the JustGiving page so we just carried on and thought ‘let’s see how much we can get’.

“We have raised £10,500 and rather than just give it to the unit, we spoke to staff and from our own experience and the experience of others, we realised it’s really important for couples to have emotional support, so we are funding counselling sessions for people who have gone through a similar experience to ourselves.

“We were fortunate as we had counselling available to us as Grace was an IVF baby and we were looked after in Ninewells. There was counselling provided through that service, but in Kirkcaldy it’s not easily accessible.

“However, through the fundraising, we have managed to provide counselling sessions for families in need.”

The £10,500 was raised in an initial 18-month period through the JustGiving page and fundraisers including a charity night at East End Park, in Dunfermline.

The couple took a break in their fundraising when they welcomed son Oliver, who is now two, into their lives. But they intend to continue raising money under the Amazing Grace – Friends of Fetal Medicine banner in memory of their daughter.

Ryan added: “Fiona and I want to thank everyone for the donations that have been made and for their incredible support.

“We’re hoping to continue with the fundraising for as long as the service is being used, and for as long as people are needing the support from the service.”

To find out more about Amazing Grace – Friends of Fetal Medicine or to donate click here