A Perth hairdresser whose child was stillborn has been raising funds for three charities close to her heart.
Ashleigh Rattray, 39, suffered the heartbreak of her daughter Mayla’s death nine years ago.
She has since raised thousands of pounds for Sands, a charity for stillbirth and neonatal deaths, through events and physical activities.
The 39 year old has also generated funds and awareness for Team Alexis Rose, which was formed by Alan Glynn and his wife Ruth after their 19-month-old daughter died of meningitis in February 2011.
And if that isn’t enough, Ashleigh additionally raises money for Cystic Fibrosis Trust due to her nephew and niece both having the condition.
Twin connection
Alan and Ruth have raised more than £200,000 for meningitis charities in memory of their daughter Alexis Rose Dlugolecka.
Ashleigh’s Sands work has been motivated by the loss of Mayla who, as with Alexis Rose, was a twin.
Alexis Rose is survived by Christina while Maizie, 9, was Mayla’s identical half.
“I have a similar background to Alan,” Ashleigh said.
“I had twin girls and also lost one.”
Birthday grave trip to remember Mayla
Ashleigh had previously given birth to healthy boy Logan, now 12, when she became pregnant with twins.
After 36 weeks a scan showed up a concern and she was sent to Ninewells for an emergency C-section.
Mayla weighed just 3Ib and tragically didn’t make it, while Maizie, at 3Ib 11oz, survived after a month in hospital being fed out of a tube.
“We always go to Mayla’s grave on her birthday and let off the same number of balloons as their age,” Ashleigh said.
“Maizie comes along so she is aware of what happened.
“We try not to dwell on it too much but try to keep her memory alive as well.
“Maizie has always been okay. Logan has been more aware of what happened because he was three years old when it happened.
“Time definitely heals but you never forget.”
Ninewells fundraising
After Mayla’s passing Ashleigh focused on supporting Sands.
The charity exists to reduce the number of babies dying and to support anyone affected by the death of a tot.
Further money has been raised for the Ronald McDonald Suite, where Ashleigh stayed during Maizie’s month-long stay in Ninewells.
With good friend Danny Murray she walked all 96 miles of the West Highland Way in just 29 hours.
They also raised more than £3,000 at two football charity events.
5K achievement for Maizie
Ashleigh turned to running as a form of fundraising after meeting Alan.
She did some trail challenges, 10K events and half marathons including the Great North Run.
As a member of Team Alexis Rose, earlier this month she completed her fastest half-marathon, in Glasgow, in an impressive 1 hour 46 minutes.
What’s more, Maizie ran the 5k event in 31 minutes.
Ashleigh will also join the team for her first marathon, in Manchester, on April 16.
Cystic fibrosis symptoms
All proceeds will go to Cystic Fibrosis Trust as a nod to the children of her younger brother Ryan and his partner Rachel.
Ashleigh’s nephew Kian, 13, and niece Ella Rattray, 7, who both live in Perth, each have the genetic condition.
“Both Ryan and Rachel carry the gene,” Ashleigh said.
“There is a one in three chance their children will have cystic fibrosis and unfortunately both of them ended up having it.
“They both have very, very mild forms of cystic fibrosis so they’re lucky.
“It can affect breathing and, if it is really bad, can affect the pancreas.
“But so far so good.”
‘Salt of the earth’ hairdresser
Ashleigh and her partner Mark Mitchell have another daughter, Myah, 3.
A hairdresser for more than 25 years, Ashleigh now she runs her own company, Hair by Ashley Rattray, and rents out salon space at Mollison’s in South Street, Perth.
Meanwhile, Alan Glynn this month marked the 12th anniversary of his daughter’s meningitis death by launching a new challenge.
It is to complete 12 fitness activities per month for 12 months. These can include a walk, run, trip to the gym, fitness class, swim or cycle for any length of time/distance.
Alan is appreciative of all those who support his charity, and Ashleigh firmly falls into this category.
“Ashleigh and her family are salt of the earth,” he said.
“Myself, Ruth and the kids can’t thank them enough for their continued support throughout the years.”
Ashleigh said: “I hope that, with the money and awareness raised doing the charity events, fewer and fewer families will ever have to feel the pain of losing a child.”
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