By Lauren Winter
Pain is temporary. But for families who have felt the loss of a child, the pain doesn’t end at the summit. That week see a group of Glasgow pals take on Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon in under 24 hours in the National Three Peaks Challenge. The 14 friends are fundraising this year – 12 on foot and two as support drivers – for Anam Cara Fasgadh, a Scottish charity that offers a place to retreat for bereaved families. Susan Simpson, co-founder from the organisation was inspired along with her husband Andrew and two friends Jenny and Michael to set up Anam Cara Fasgadh following the support both families had tragic loss of their own children. The shared experience brought the couples together and with the support of donations, they provide a place of refuge for families, provide space and time for reflection on loss for those learning to live with
“We offer families a break away in a 2-bedroom caravan which can sleep 6, it’s completely free of charge. We also supply a basic grocery pack and give the family gifts of love to show we’re thinking of them” One of the gifts is a snuggle bunny plushie as a memento attached to the memory of their child, Susan continued “We want families to know, they’re not alone”.
Poppy’s Place: A moment of respite for families in Tralee Bay, Argyll
*Credit: Susan Simpson, co-founder of Anam Cara Fasgadh*
With demand growing for the organisation’s services growing Jamie Scott and the team are now helping to fundraise to buy a second retreat caravan.
“It started as a way our team to support my friend and his wife who had suffered the tragic loss of their son in 2020, his name was Gabriel. Gabriel’s dad is the driving force behind everything we’ve achieved to support the charity. Some of the walks aren’t easy we’ve had a lot of tough times, the first year we walked the West Highland Way, then the great Glenway, the Rob Roy way and back to the West Highland Way last year”. When I asked Jamie how he and the team braced the difficult times during their journey he told me: “conditions of feet and the weather not helping you just must keep in mind, head down and push through the pain. I think of it was my pain was temporary but the pain of the families going through child l loss is more than temporary. The group have raised more than £40,000 to date. Their current target is £5000
A tribute to Gabriel, the little boy who inspired their journey
*Photo Credit: Jamie Scott*
The walking team and Anam Cara Fasgadh are grateful for every penny donated to through the organisation’s website and through the JustGiving page. “We couldn’t do what we do without the supporters that we have, it costs us £15,000 a year for Poppy’s place alone, for us to provide families with our service free of charge. It’s so isolating to go through bereavement because as a society we’re still not very good at talking about baby and child loss. This is why we hold events to bring families together in memory of their child. What his father and the team are doing is a part of Gabriels legacy”. Michael, co-founder of Anam Cara Fasgadh was instrumental in pushing a bill through Scottish parliament in 2018 which sought to abolish child funeral plans. Prior to the bill families were responsible for paying fees when their child died. Anam Cara Fasgadh adopted their foundation date as the 30th of May 2020 as tribute of the bill passed on that date.
As Friday rolls closer Jamie and the team are preparing themselves for a mammoth task. “3 Monroes in 24 hours. We’re looking forward to the challenge, we’ve all learned lessons from the previous walks so if things get tough, we’ll get our heads down and push forward. Mentally and physically these walks can be difficult but finishing as a team and being able to raise up our charity flags at the end will be a great accomplishment for a worthy cause”
Glasgow Pals to reunite on Friday to take on the 3 Peaks challenge for Anam Cara Fasgadh
*Credit: Jamie Scott*
https://www.anamcarafasgadh.org – if you or someone you know has been affected by this story and would like to seek support or donate. Please visit Anam Cara Fasgadh
A worth cause. Click the link to support the families with Anam Cara Fasgadh
*Credit: Lauren Winter
