A Dundee dad died just days after his daughter, born dangerously prematurely, was allowed home from hospital.
Paul Houston, 44, was found at home by his heartbroken partner Lisa McKenzie Houston, 39, on July 19.
The couple’s daughter Sophie was born on March 30, 12 and a half weeks premature and weighing just 1lb 5oz.
It was May before Sophie reached 2lbs and she was kept in an incubator at Ninewells until June.
Sophie remained in hospital until last week when, to the delight of her parents, she was finally allowed home.
Tragedy struck just days later when Paul was found dead on the couple’s doorstep. The cause of his death remains unexplained.
Lisa was still reeling from that tragedy when Sophie had to be readmitted to Ninewells Hospital because a shunt – a device fitted to drain excess fluid from the brain – was blocked.
The youngster remains in hospital where she is due to have an MRI scan.
Lisa’s cousin Tiffany Milner has set up an online fundraiser to help pay for Paul’s funeral and the cost of travelling to and from Ninewells Hospital to be with her daughter.
She wants to raise £3000 to help Lisa and Sophie.
Tiffany said: “Lisa and Paul had been back and forth to hospital for three months visiting Sophie and she was finally able to come home at the beginning of the month.
“But within a few days later Lisa came home to find Paul dead on the doorstep. They’re still not sure what happened.
“Then Sophie started being unwell and had to be taken to hospital because the shunt in her brain was not working.”
Writing on the crowdfunding page, Tiffany said: “Settling into family life, after being in hospital for their months is something they could have only dreamed of back in March when their tiny precious girl was born.
“This dream came true and, so cruelly, was snatched away from them with Paul, Lisa’s biggest support, taken away from them so suddenly.
“With a new baby, all the money they have spent on transport going to and from hospital over the last three months, food, equipment and specially made clothes to fit Sophie, a funeral to pay for just isn’t feasible right now.
“It would be amazing if we could all come together to show our support for Lisa and Sophie and try as best we can to raise as much as possible for the family.
“If we go over the target any left over money will go to Sophie for her future.”
