Sands in Shetland

A SHETLAND mum who lost her baby son nine years ago is setting up a Shetland branch of stillbirth and neonatal death charity Sands.  

Marie Manson, whose son Kieran died in 1995, said she was determined to help others facing the same painful experience.

After receiving support from Sands to cope with her own loss she started fundraising for the national charity.

This summer Manson raised more than £5,000 from a 17-mile sponsored walk across her home island of Whalsay.

Now she is planning to set up a local branch of the charity to help fellow bereaved parents.

Every day in the UK, 17 babies are stillborn or die shortly after birth.

“I decided to set up a group in Shetland for Sands to help others who have been through the tragedy of losing a baby,” she said.

“It can be a very lonely time and to have someone to speak to either by email, phone or in person was the best thing for me.

“I would also like to carry on fundraising and I hope with the new group we can raise funds for Shetland Sands.”

Manson can be contacted on 01806 566551/079004977746 or online at marieamanson@hotmail.com