Dress donations help with baby loss

A CHARITY which transforms wedding dresses and occasion dresses into handmade garments for stillborn babies is seeking volunteers in Inverness.

Zaagi aims to support grieving families facing the stress and the heartache of bereavement following the loss of a baby to miscarriage, stillbirth or neo-natal death.

It was founded three years ago by bereaved Lauder mother Kim Shaw-Walker. Its name means “to be loved and treasured” in the language of the Native American Indians in Michigan where she grew up.

Its services include handmade garments for baby loss such as nesting blankets and blessing gowns which are donated to hospitals.

Volunteers and donations of dresses are now being sought in Inverness where an event will be held tomorrow at the Christian Youth Centre in Bank Street between 11am and 12.30pm.

Susan Simpson, the Highland ambassador for SiMBA – another charity which supports bereaved families suffering the loss of a baby through stillbirth or miscarriage – said her daughter Eilidh Beth was stillborn at Raigmore Hospital in 2010 and spent the day wrapped in hospital towels.

“If I’d only known about an organisation like Zaagi, my mum would not have had the heartache of searching the shops for an outfit for her to wear when we had to say goodbye to her,” she said.

BBC Alba presenter Màiri Rodgers gifted her wedding dress to the charity during the filming of a documentary Labour of Love about her own loss. She has since donated gowns from her dress to Raigmore Hospital.

Mrs Simpson can be called on 07771 358382.