The family of a toddler who died of cot death have spoken of their gratitude after a campaign raised almost £8,000 for equipment to help other grieving parents.
Little James Anderson was just 16 months old when he died in October. The cause of his death was found to be sudden infant death syndrome (Sids).
Thanks to family connections, James was one of Inverness Caley Thistler’s youngest season ticket holders – and the club raised £1,560 with the Angel Wings support group towards buying what are called snuggle mats.
The cooling mats, which cost £3,800 each, allow grieving families to spend a little bit more time with their child after a tragedy.
Caley Thistle got involved through the boy’s maternal grandmother Liz McCrae, who is Chairperson of Caley Jags Together.
Ms McCrae said: “James was one of the youngest season ticket holders. He was one of the few that saw the team win – it is a lovely memory.”
Remembering the traumatic time of his death, she added: “If we had a snuggle mat then it would have been more like saying goodbye to James. We had a horrendous situation that day so if some good can come out of it then all the better.”
A friend of Caley Thistle player Charlie Trafford donated a pair of football boots signed by Manchester City star Sergio Aguero, they fetched £600.
Michaela Street, from Angel Wings, said: “It is absolutely amazing, everybody is pulling together and that has been fantastic, friends, family the community – the ‘angel wings’ have been great.”
The first snuggle mat was given to an Aviemore undertaker for the use of families who lost a child, the second will go to Raigmore Hospital.
Friends and teammates of James’ father, Craig Macleod, at Newtonmore Camanachd Club also held an online fundraising campaign.
The initial aim was to support the family with a target of £500 but in the end raised £7,736, surpassing its goal by 1547 per cent.
Mr Macleod said: “It has been a massive help, what everyone has done. I just want to thank everyone, I can’t say how much it helped.”
Paternal grandmother Kirsty Macleod said: “What they have done is just amazing, we got so much love and support. They did that wee boy proud.”
James’s mother Jessica Anderson said: “Newtonmore, it is just like a big family. It really helped with the funeral and to get a nice headstone for James.”
She added: “James loved life, he was always smiling, really happy, went to the nursery and had lots of little friends up there.”