A Tayside woman’s effort to help tackle a pregnancy illness has been given the royal seal of approval by its most famous sufferer.
The Duchess of Cambridge is due to give birth this weekend but had a scare in the early stages of her pregnancy due to the condition hyperemesis gravidarum (HG).
Kate Middleton has written a letter of support to Dundee woman Heather Miranda, who suffered from the same illness and is now fighting to gain worldwide recognition of a debilitating illness.
Heather, who comes from Brechin and teaches in Arbroath, was a contemporary of the royal and her then boyfriend Prince William while at St Andrews University and is fighting for recognition of a condition which affects up to 2% of pregnant women.
Her father David Robinson, from Brechin, has organised a fundraising quiz for the charity Pregnancy Sickness Support.
Heather, 32, said: “Kate Middleton has sent a letter to my dad sending us her ‘best wishes’ for the fundraising quiz event.”
Pregnancy Sickness Support provides information and support to those who suffer from extreme nausea and vomiting in pregnancy and also for their carers.
“It helps women suffering from HG, which is at the extreme end of the pregnancy sickness spectrum and is a hugely debilitating disease,” she added.
“The sufferer is left bed-bound for months, unable to do anything.
“It’s tortuous and extremely isolating, leaving you with no quality of life at what should be such a happy time.
“We were quite surprised to get a letter back. It’s a great thing to have. I’m sure my dad has hidden it away in a safe place.”
Heather suffered the “horrendous and debilitating” medical condition when she was carrying her first son Joseph in 2009.
The duchess sent the heartfelt note after Mr Robinson told her about Heather going through the same ordeal during her pregnancy.
The quiz is on July 30 at the Caledonian Hotel, Brechin, at 7.30pm. It costs £12 to enter a team of up to four and tickets are on sale at David Robinson optician in the town or by calling 01356 236 055.
Visit www.pregnancysicknesssupport.org.uk for information about HG.