Megan Kerr

A grateful mum has spoken of her pride after a family friend completed a 550-mile cycle in aid of the group which helped her and her husband cope with the death of their baby son.

Lisa Hay said Martin Bagshaw’s marathon bike ride – which raised £15,000 for the stillbirth and neonatal charity Sands – had turned heartache into “tears of joy”.

Mr Bagshaw, 22, from Peterhead, pedalled to 15 football stadiums across Scotland in memory of Archie Hay, who was stillborn on Boxing Day last year.

He said he was full of admiration for the way Mrs Hay and her husband Mark, from Portlethen, had dealt with the tragedy and wanted to do something positive on their behalf.

He said: “I couldn’t believe how strong they had been. I felt helpless when I found out and just wanted to do something to try and ease their pain.”

He cycled around 12 Scottish Premiership stadiums, as well as the grounds of St Mirren, Rangers and his hometown club Peterhead FC.

He was supported by Mr Hay and the couple’s 10-year-old son Lennon, who drove the route and joined him at his fundraising stops.

Football clubs and players also got behind the project, donating items for charity events, including Aberdeen goalkeeper Jamie Langfield, who gave a strip and gloves, and Scott Brown who also donated gloves.

Mrs Hay said she was grateful for everything that Mr Bagshaw and Sands had done for her.

She said: “It was an honour for Martin to do such an amazing thing and raise so much money for a fantastic charity.

“Losing Archie was one of the biggest heartbreaks of our lives but knowing the money Martin has raised in his honour will help other families in similar situations turns the tears into ones of joy.”