When we launched Amazing Grace – Friends of Fetal Medicine in January 2020, we had a vision for what this little charity could become. But just a few short months later, the world changed overnight with the arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic.
At that point, Fiona and I decided to pause all fundraising. Like many others, we recognised that charities, businesses and individuals across the country were struggling to stay afloat, and any donations that might have come our way were needed elsewhere. Thankfully, thanks to the incredible support we’d received in previous years—especially a well-timed bucket collection at Murrayfield Stadium just before lockdown (a huge thank you to Mark, Jimmy, Dougie, Anneliese and the entire Gordon family for braving the beautiful but freezing conditions!)—we were in a position to keep going with the funds we already had.
Finding New Ways to Fundraise
2020 came and went, and so did the first half of 2021. As restrictions eased, we wanted to reconnect with our supporters and raise funds again—safely, and in a way that everyone could take part. That’s when the idea for a virtual 5km was born.
We asked for a £10 donation, sent everyone an Amazing Grace t-shirt, and invited people to complete a 5km in any way they liked—walking, running, cycling, rowing, you name it. Over 170 people got involved, and together we raised more than £4,000. The photos people sent in, and the fantastic video created by Michael, reminded us just how powerful community can be.
Reaching More Families
In 2022, people were finally able to meet with our counsellors face-to-face again. After everything the world had been through, we were so pleased that our service could be there as people prioritised their mental health and began to heal. That same year, we held another successful virtual 5km and a few in-person events that brought people together again.
Strengthening Our Service
As 2023 began, we started looking inward. We knew the service we were offering was valuable, but we also knew it could be even better. We focused on improving how people were referred to us—making sure they understood what counselling actually involved, and how it could help. With input from Eilidh, we created an informative leaflet to be shared with patients at the point of referral.
A Year of Growth Behind the Scenes
Behind the scenes, 2024 was a big year. Thanks to generous support from Fife Housing Group, we began working on something we’d talked about for years: our own website. With the help of a brilliant local designer, we set out to create something that would reflect the heart of Amazing Grace. Working on it brought up plenty of emotions—some joyful, some painful—but it reminded us exactly why we do what we do.
Looking Ahead to 2025 and Beyond
Now, as we step into 2025, we’re excited to see the website come to life. We hope it will help people access our service more easily, keep the conversation around baby loss going, and help families feel a little less alone. Once it’s live, we’ll turn our attention back to fundraising—maybe with a challenge or two!—and keep doing everything we can to raise awareness about pregnancy loss and difficult birth experiences.
A Heartfelt Thank You
We couldn’t do any of this without the amazing generosity of those who support us. A special thank you to the Walker, Donald, and Wilson families—your kindness and belief in what we do means so much. And of course, a heartfelt thank you to Fife Housing Group. Your support has allowed us to create a resource that we believe will truly help people.
Here’s to a strong finish to 2025—and an even brighter 2026.
