In 2011 we lived through every family's worst nightmare when we woke to discover our 7week old son Drew had died as a result of a cot death as we slept. Realising our precious boy was gone, 4 weeks after the joy of bringing him home from the hospital where he had fought so hard for survival after being born 9weeks early was devastating, not just for my husband & I but for our 3 older children.

We have received amazing support from the Scottish Cot Death Trust as we have tried to rebuild our lives and as a family have decided to give back to them and help others who find themselves in this tragic situation. 

For Drew's 1st Birthday we held an "Afternoon Tea" in our local village hall. Setting ourselves a target of £600, the amount the SCDT need to provide a family with a special Monitor which alerts bereaved parents if a subsequent baby stops breathing. The piece of mind this brings is indescribable. It will not take away the pain of the loss but it allows the family to worry a little less about their new baby and try to focus on their joy. I am not ashamed to say I cried when the final amount I was able to pass to the SCDT was just over £2000.

On the 1st Anniversary of Drew's death we were asked by the Machars & Rhinns Young Farmers (in Wigtownshire) to accept a cheque for £400 for the SCDT, raised from their annual concert. This was without doubt the silver lining on such a horrible day.  

While I have been overwhelmed by the support of my community the most touching fundraising done in memory of Drew was for the amount of £15.40. My children's small village school decided instead of sending Christmas Cards in 2011, they would sell stars for 20p for people to write a Christmas message to the school and put it on a tree on the wall. Children nominated which Charity they wanted to donate the money the raised to and the SCDT was suggested by my kids - the pupils voted and the SCDT came out on top by quite a way. This was such a lovely Christmas present for Drew and shows how much it was not just the adults but also the children who felt our loss. 

We have many more ideas for fundraising but our next event is a Firewalk in Stranraer where I, along with my wonderful friends, and some of their friends, will walk over hot coals on Bonfire Night 2012.

I would not wish what we have gone through on any family, and don't want anyone to try to imagine our pain but a new family goes through this every 9 days in Scotland.

My husband has always said "Drew made such a big impact in the world for just 7 weeks." Please help us continue this impact on the world in his memory and support the Scottish Cot Death Trust and all their good work. Thank You.