Butterfly release to remember babies

BEREAVED families will be releasing butterflies into the wild next month to remember their lost babies, writes Kathie Griffiths.

Families will gather in the grounds of Dunollie Museum Castle on June 16 from 5.30pm.

Around 30 to 40 butterflies will flutter away at the annual event being organised by SiMBA, a charity supporting families who have lost a baby.

There will be a short service before the release, followed by time for reflection and refreshments.

A donation of £15 is suggested to help the charity cover the cost of one butterfly and the family-friendly occasion, said Susan Simpson, a SiMBA trustee and its Highland ambassador and support group co-ordinator.

The organisation’s Oban support group meets on the first Thursday of every month at The Rockfield Centre, from 7-9pm, and is open to parents, grandparents, family or friends who have gone through the death of a baby at any stage of pregnancy or close to the time of birth.

The charity is also hoping to soon get a metal sculpture Tree of Tranquility in the grounds of Dunollie, similar to those in Galashiels, Orkney, Edinburgh, Inverness and Glasgow where families can put babies’ names on copper leaves – each tree can carry 500 leaves.

Mrs Simpson said: ‘Dunollie has been amazing. It has been so accommodating and understanding.’

To order a butterfly and confirm a place at the release, visit: app.etapestry.com/onlineforms/SIMBA/butterflyrelease2018.html or for information visit simbacharity.org.uk, call 0131 353 0055 or email Susan Simpson on simbahighland@gmail.com