Fundraising family overwhelmed by support after baby's death
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A severe form of epilepsy, Taylor suffered from the illness from almost the moment he was born last June.
Soon after his birth, he was transferred to the neonatal unit at Aberdeen Children’s Hospital for three weeks before receiving treatment at centres across Scotland, with his parents Jodie and Andrew Henderson constantly at his side.
Their son managed to return to Wick for two weeks just before he died in November when he was surrounded by loved ones.
Since his death, his parents and four-year-old sister Ellie have been fundraising in aid of Rachel House and the ARCHIE Foundation which helped the family greatly during Taylor’s illness.
In the last nine months, they have raised over £10,000 for the two charities to help families whose children are also suffering from life-threatening conditions.
Mr Henderson (31), of Murray Avenue, said even though the family are heartbroken they want to help others.
“It was extremely hard on our family when Taylor was being treated during his illness,” he said.
“My mother-in-law Sheila Munro had to give up her part-time job to look after our daughter as Jodie and I were constantly at Taylor’s side.
“If it was not for the ARCHIE Foundation, we would not have been able to spend all that time with him.
“The foundation provided free accommodation in both hospitals at Aberdeen and Inverness as it would have been impossible for us both to have stayed with him as the cost of accommodation for that length of time would have been too expensive.
“Rachel House was also fantastic to Taylor and all our friends and family who came to visit us.”
Friends and family of the Hendersons have also held fundraising events for the two causes.
Mrs Munro raised £4212.36 for Rachel House by holding a sale of work in Harper’s Function Room.
The Norlin Playgroup, which used to be attended by Taylor’s sister Ellie, donated £853.82 – half of the cash raised by a sponsored walk – and Diane Sinclair, who runs Diane’s Zumba, held a charity night and raised £450, with both donations going to the ARCHIE Foundation.
Mr Henderson said the amount of support they have received has been overwhelming, adding they wanted to show their appreciation.
“It is good of people to do things for us. People want to help us when they see the pain that we are going through, but don’t know how to act,” he said.
“But by holding fundraising events such as these they are not just comforting us, but also other families who are going through seeing their child suffer.
“Caithness people have always been very good like that and the community deserve to be praised for how good-hearted they are. It is touching to know that there are people out there who do care and are not afraid to show it.”
