The Coffey family are fundraising with a 450 mile adventure - having spent a rollercoaster 80 days in hospital with the full support of the wonderful staff in the neonatal unit.
The Coffey family have kindly shared their story and Stride for Simpsons campaign with SSCB.
Our story
Campbell and Hamish surprised us all when they made an early appearance at just 28 weeks gestation on the 27th of June 2021.
Arriving by emergency C-section at the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary and weighing only 1090g and 1070g each, they both required immediate emergency care from the medical team in the labour unit before being transferred to the Simpsons Special Baby Unit, where they were intubated and ventilated.
We spent a total of 80 days under the care of the unit where we experienced first-hand the expertise, skill and compassion of each and every member of staff involved in their care. We knew that when we left the unit each night to try and get some rest, they could not be in a safer environment.
Prior to their arrival, we didn’t really know of the existence of the unit. Every day was a rollercoaster with two babies with very different needs, requiring very different levels of support. Every day, walking into the unit brought new levels of anxiety and fear, every day posed different challenges and every day our two boys fought so hard to come home to meet their big brother Ruaridh.
SSCB Charity for Edinburgh neonatal unit
The Simpsons Special Care Babies Charity supports the wonderful work of the unit in many ways from funding specialist equipment, staff training and research but also supports families in smaller, yet equally meaningful ways – from the provision of milestone cards and inked footprints to a remote and video site which allows parents to have a direct link to their babies.
Emma Coffey said:
Unfortunately, covid meant Jamie was self-isolating during the first week of our NICU journey which was incredibly hard on the family. Thankfully, SSCB funded vCreate - a secure video and photo service - which was a comfort as he could see the twins daily and it provided a sense of reassurance that Campbell and Hamish were in caring hands. vCreate is such a simple but effective way of communication which we enjoyed sharing video clips with our families. Thank you, Simpsons Special Care Babies.
Our aim to raise funds for charity
As a gesture of our families’ appreciation, for all of the wonderful support which we received during Campbell and Hamish’s time on the unit. To help SSCB to support research in neonatal care, fund state of the art equipment and enable staff to undergo further training in the care of special babies like our Campbell and Hamish.
The work this charity undertakes supports parents when they are at their lowest point and experiencing the most challenging times in life.
Any funds you can give will be gratefully received and will go a long way to helping the charity do its important work with the unit and those who need its support.
Jamie, Emma, Ruaridh, Campbell and Hamish Coffey x
The Route
Gretna Green
Starting on the 16th of July 2022, members of the team will start the challenge by cycling 65 miles to Lesmahagow.
The next day, they’ll continue cycling 34 miles to Milngavie to the start of the West Highland Way.
West Highland Way
The team now move from two wheels to two feet, with members walking the 95 miles of the famous West Highland Way over the next five days.
Starting at Milngavie (just outside Glasgow) on Monday 18th July, the trail meanders through the Highlands all the way to Fort William finishing on Friday 22nd July.
Ben Nevis
What’s a challenge in Scotland without taking in one it’s most famous landmarks?
Standing at 4,413ft, Ben Nevis is the UK ‘s biggest mountain and is an ideal test of our team members’ nerves and legs on Saturday 23rd July!
Loch Lochy
On Sunday 24th July it is time for the team to get wet - that’s if the Scottish weather hasn’t beaten Loch Lochy to it!
After a dry 9 mile jog to Gairlochy, the real endurance challenge starts with a 9 mile swim up Loch Lochy to Laggan Locks at the other end.
Loch Ness
Having quite enough swimming for one lifetime, on Monday 25th July the team will now run 30 miles up the Great Glen along the banks of Loch Ness to Drumnadrochit.
Nessie has already made a generous donation of salmon, though SSCB would appreciate your pounds instead!
John O' Groats
We’re onto the final stretch on Tuesday 26th as the team jump back on their bikes and make the 160 mile journey up to the most northerly part of the UK at John O’ Groats - stopping off at Lairg and Tongue on the way.
The end should hopefully see the team come together, along with some tiny members, to finish the challenge on Thursday 28th July.
Charity Auction
Bid in Stride for Simpsons charity auction to get some amazing items and raise money for Stride for Simpsons campaign.
Incredible items up for grabs, including:
A mascot experience at the Scotland v Argentina rugby game for the Autumn Internationals at Murrayfield - plus two adult tickets
British & Irish Lions Jersey - Signed by Scottish Players & Coaches (2021)
Signed Scotland Men's Team Jersey (2021/2022)
Signed Scotland Women's Team Jersey (2021/2022)
Signed Edinburgh Rugby Match Jersey (2021/22)
Signed Glasgow Warriors Match Jersey (2020/21)
Signed Ulster Rugby Signed Match Jersey (2020/21)
Signed Match Worn Boots by Glasgow Warrior, Scotland International and British and Irish Lion - Zander Fagerson
Find out more about the items and bid by visiting the Charity Auction.
Thank you to all the clubs and the Scottish Rugby Union for their generosity and contributions.
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