An Aldershot couple made a 1000-mile round trip to ensure their first-born child was a true Red Lichtie.
Midwives at Arbroath Infirmary’s Queen Mother maternity wing discovered their reputation for good service had spread further than they expected when a heavily pregnant Leanne McDermid arrived with her army major husband Danny.
Leanne and Danny, who is originally from Paisley but who grew up in Arbroath, had heard about the ever growing popularity of the unit from family members, and Danny liked the idea of their baby being born in what he calls his home town so much so that he made it a condition of their marriage when he proposed.
With this in mind, the couple decamped to Arbroath in early April as the baby was expected any time onwards from the 19th.
Daughter Chloe was born in the town on April 22 weighing 7lb 2oz, and the new family travelled back to Aldershot three days later.
Leanne explained that the trip north took place during the recent heavy snowfalls but that all the travelling had been worth it.
“It was a bit of a nightmare journey and it was 500 miles,” she said.
“My mum and I did find ourselves singing the Proclaimers’ song all the way up the road!Arbroathian”Danny was adamant that our baby should be an Arbroathian and, as he agreed to my request to get married in Aldershot, I didn’t mind.”
The couple spent three weeks with relatives in the lead up to the birth and baby Chloe arrived just in the nick of time.
“She was a little late and I was due to go to Ninewells Hospital the following day for an induction,” said Leanne.
“We were desperate for this not to happen so we all had our fingers crossed and thankfully Chloe arrived that day.
“We did try the old trick of going for a curry and I had a Madras the night before my waters broke so I think it definitely worked.”
Danny and Leanne were also full of praise for Arbroath Infirmary staff.
“We can’t thank them enough,” added Leanne.
“They looked after us so well and they made Danny’s dreams come true. We are thinking to do exactly the same if we have another child.”