A Scots woman has launched a fundraiser after her eight-week-old baby tragically passed away suddenly from cot death. Laura MacGregor, from Livingston in West Lothian, lost her baby girl Charlotte Joyce on February 8.
The tot died from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) - also known as cot death. Laura and the rest of her heartbroken family are now fundraising for the cost of the funeral and headstone for Charlotte, reports Edinburgh Live.
Laura, 33, said: "My baby died of SIDS and we are all so devastated. We need to raise funds for her to have the best send off, but more importantly her headstone afterwards.
"A horse and carriage has been booked, and she has the most beautiful flowers and coffin but it's not quite covering it yet. She was such an amazing, precious little girl. I'm beyond devastated, we all are. It's been one thing after another this past year, its heartbreaking."
Just months ago, Laura's older daughter, Emily McGregor, was injured in a hit-and-run involving a motorbike. The incident left the 10-year-old in hospital and unable to walk.
Laura said on the fundraising page: "Thanks everyone so much you've no idea how much this means to me. My daughter can have the send off she deserves. When everything is covered anything donated still will be going towards her headstone which is a good few thousand.
"I appreciate every single donation and words of condolences. I pray no other parent has to feel what I do but I know I can't stop SIDS. This world is a cruel place but you guys, as a community are amazing, thank you."
Laura's friend Jenna McIlwaine said: "I'm setting this up to help close friends of mine who tragically lost the life of their beautiful baby girl only 8 weeks old suddenly. Trying to give my beautiful niece the send of she deserves."
Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) sometimes known as 'cot death' – is the sudden, unexpected and unexplained death of an apparently healthy baby. In the UK, around 200 babies die suddenly and unexpectedly every year.
You can contribute to the fundraiser for Charlotte Joyce here.
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