Keith family raise thousands for The Archie Foundation after daughter born 11 weeks prematurely
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A FAMILY from Keith have raised thousands for charity after their daughter was born 11 weeks prematurely.
In November 2021, Craig Fletcher and Shelly Lockhart received the news that no expectant parents want to hear; their daughter was going to be born prematurely.
The pair were warned that their baby may not be breathing once delivered and were fearing the worst.
But against the odds, baby Rosie was delivered safely.
Rosie stayed in the neonatal unit in Aberdeen for a total of 46 days but thanks to The Archie Foundation, Craig and Shelly were able to stay with her in the hospital.
To this day, the pair are thankful to the charity for allowing them to stay close to Rosie over that difficult period.
Craig said: "We live in Keith so The Archie Foundation really helped us because otherwise you're talking about an hour and half to get to the hospital every day.
"What really stuck with us was talking to other parents who were staying in the hospital accommodation at the time.
"We feared the worst with Rosie but she didn't really have a bad moment but some of the other parents were experiencing life or death situations on a daily basis.
"I wouldn't wish that on anyone so we felt it was important to give back because The Archie Foundation helped put us on the best footing for the future with Rosie."
Shortly after, 'Team Rosie' was born, and thanks to the combined efforts of Craig, Shelly, the extended family and the wider Keith community, an incredible £14,502 has been raised for the charity.
That has seen Craig attempt to run 46km 46 times to represent the number of days Rosie spent in the neonatal unit in Aberdeen.
And, just over a year after starting the challenge, he has completed 40 runs and has just six more to go.
"I just thought nobody will think it's that amazing if I run 46km once so I decided I should do it 46 times," Craig said.
"I thought I just really needed to go above and beyond to create as much fundraising from it as possible."
Rosie's grandparents, Charley and Jackey Lockhart, have also had a hand in the incredible fundraising efforts.
A recent charity auction held by the pair raised £12,481 and was topped up by a further £1000 thanks to a donation from Keith and District YFC.
Craig was heartened to see the local community and businesses support the auction.
"Rosie's grandparents got the community and local businesses involved," he said.
"The auction just showed how people were willing to go above and beyond.
"Someone bid £95 for duck eggs. I just thought that was fantastic. That was one of the first lots of the night so I just knew from there that it was going to do really well."
Now a little over a year old, Craig says Rosie is becoming a "right little character" and that the pair could not be happier with her.
The Archie Foundation say that the funds raised by Team Rosie will help other families in the future who find themselves in a similar situation to Craig and Shelly.
Cassie McGunnigle, Fundraising Manager for The Archie Foundation, said: "We are so grateful to Team Rosie for their incredible fundraising efforts.
"The fantastic sum will see £10,000 go towards our Baird Family Hospital Appeal and the remaining amount towards our work at the neonatal unit.
"It will truly make such a difference to the many other families that find themselves in Aberdeen Neonatal Unit.”
