A Tayside couple are helping bereaved parents deal with the pain of stillbirth and neonatal death with a “unique” charity venture.
Paul and Jennifer Mills help provide memorials for babies who have died between 24 weeks of pregnancy and 28 days of age.
The couple, who live in Errol, say the charity is the lasting legacy of their daughter, Sophie-Catherine Mills, who was tragically stillborn in June 2011.
SCM, a name taken from their daughter’s initials, has already helped provide three memorials for Tayside babies, easing financial worry for their parents.
Paul said: “In 2011 Jen and I lost our daughter. We were fortunate enough to be able to pay for her funeral and headstone ourselves but it got us thinking, were there other people out there able to do the same?
“We always wanted to leave a legacy for Sophie but didn’t quite know how to do that. SCM stands for Sophie- Catherine Mills. Nobody would forget their baby but it had to be something that was going to be around forever and help other families.
“We did some research and realised there was nobody in Scotland funding baby memorials. Financially, nobody plans for burying their child.”
The couple, who have been married for six years, have set up an SCM Facebook page, which has received hits from as far afield as India and Australia.
“It’s incredible that it’s reaching different parts of the world,” said Paul.
Jennifer added that it was a bittersweet experience helping other families.
She said: “It’s mixed emotions because on one hand why is it still happening, why are families still losing babies through stillbirth?
“But in another way we are proud that we are able to help other families. And we hope that Sophie is proud as well.”
The couple say they remain forever grateful to the support they received from staff at Ninewells hospital at the time of their daughter’s birth.