A SCOTLAND goalkeeper and the fiancee of an ex-Scotland international have given their backing to a Dunbar-based charity.

 

Neil Alexander, along with his wife Joanne, and Lisa Hague, fiancee of Celtic’s Kris Commons, were united in their support for SiMBA, which works with families who have lost a baby.

 

Simpson’s Memory Box Appeal held an special afternoon tea in Edinburgh last week, which was also attended by Dr Gillian Smith MBE, Royal College of Midwives, Scottish director, who was unveiled as the charity’s new patron.


The charity was set by midwife Sara Fitzsimmons, SiMBA’s executive charity director, 10 years ago to honour babies who have died, been stillborn or miscarried.


Sara, of Dunbar, saw first hand the difficulties parents went through after losing their child and decided to raise money to start a charity, which would provide memory boxes to help them gather timeless memories.


Sara said: “We are delighted that Gillian has joined SiMBA as our new patron. I have known Gillian for many years and it is a real honour to have her on board.

 

Gillian understands the pressures and demands that hospital staff face every day whilst having fulfilment and enjoyment even in the most difficult situations.

 


“One of our aims is to help staff enhance the bereavement services that are currently available and empower them to create memories that can never be taken away.”


SiMBA also gives parents the chance to add a leaf to the Tree of Tranquility – a stunning hand-crafted, life-sized sculpture, which has individual leaves.


Each leaf can be engraved with a personal message and offers bereaved parents the opportunity to honour their baby in a simple, quiet way and will effectively "grow" as leaves are added.


Dr Smith was delighted to be involved and told the Courier: “From the first time I heard of this amazing charity, I was so impressed that such a simple gesture of gifting a memory box can help people remember their cherished child. 


“Let us not forget that from the moment a woman confirms her pregnancy, that child carries the hopes and expectations of parents, the wider family and the entire community so deserves to be remembered.


“The importance of having a service like this can cannot be underestimated."

Hearts goalkeeper Alexander, along with his wife Joanne and Lisa Hague, were also at the event in the Capital.


Lisa became an ambassador for SiMBA in 2013. She said: “Lola, our first daughter, died eight years ago next week. Our Lola box is still growing and is now one of our most treasured possessions. 


“It has been a great help to us, in explaining to our other children about their big sister. When Lola was stillborn, we didn’t have use of a family room and both Kris and I know how vitally important dedicated family rooms are. Every hospital should have one.” 


Lisa unveiled former Livingston and Rangers number one Neil Alexander and his wife Joanne as the new ambassadors for the Lola Commons Fund for SiMBA.


Lisa said: “Neil and Joanne are like the Godparents that Lola never had. Having suffered a miscarriage themselves, they understand the heartache of losing a baby. Neil and Kris may play on opposite sides of the pitch but we are all united in helping to raise awareness for The Lola Commons Fund for SiMBA helping to support families when they need us most.”