Loch walk raises cash in memory of tragic tot
An East Kilbride family shattered by the loss of their beautiful baby boy at just six-months-old have raised thousands of pounds to help others through their grief.
Leigh Irvine and Colin Neil walked 6km around the James Hamilton Heritage Loch with family and friends to remember their ‘little angel’, Logan, and boost the funds of bereavement charity Brightest Star.
Logan was born with severe hydrocephalus and chromosome 13 deletion, which doctors warned would be life-limiting.
It went undiagnosed until a 37week scan and the little fighter was born by emergency section just 10 hours later.
Logan had to go through seven surgeries in six months and five of those surgeries were in his first seven weeks in the newborn intensive care unit (NICU), passing away in July.
The family’s fundraising page is sitting at just under £3000 and with another event at the end of the month – a Zoom tarot night organised by a friend – they are expecting to hit £4000.
It is way beyond what they expected to raise but Leigh and Colin told the EK News they can’t thank everyone enough for all their support and donations.
“It was a really lovely day, emotional, but a great day. The weather was horrible all week then it just broke for the walk last Saturday,” she said.
“We walked 6km for the six months that Logan was with us and we were surrounded by family, including his big brother Lucas, and friends.
“There were all ages who joined us, from one to 85.
“In all honesty we have been overwhelmed at all the support and the money we have raised so far – we just didn’t expect it at all.”
Bereavement charity Brightest Star provides memory boxes for grieving families as well as other support services.
They gave Leigh and Colin a memory box containing hand prints as well as beautiful bronze castings of Logan’s foot and hand.
It contains other items including a teddy bear, which provided immeasurable support to the family and was organised entirely by Brightest Star.
“The memory box means so much to us now,” Leigh added.
“Any money raised will make a huge difference to the charity and all we want to do is help ease the heartbreak of any other family going through this horrific experience.
“And the charity are now looking to get the memory boxes into Hairmyres Hospital as well, which could help so many families in this area.”