Scott McClone and his partner Collette Murray have been collecting toys and gifts for the poorly children as a thank you for the “amazing” care their son Ajay received there earlier this year.
He was born in May in Dumfries, but during his initial baby checks a doctor flagged what they thought was a heart murmur.
The family were allowed home and were due to return the following week for further checks, but ended up being admitted early before newborn Ajay was taken by ambulance to the RHC in Glasgow.
After a week in the neonatal ICU and tests with the specialist team in Glasgow, he was diagnosed with a Tetralogy of Fallot, which is four different heart defects, needing open heart surgery.
The family then spent another three weeks in ward 1E before Ajay was finally well enough to go home.
Scott said: “It was such a worrying time, but the staff were amazing, they explained everything and gave Ajay the best care. They also supported us as a family.
“Ajay was back in the Royal Hospital for Children for his operation around Halloween and Bonfire Night so as a family it was difficult to miss being together for those.
“We are very family orientated so it was tough for us all and especially Ajay’s three sisters, Lexi, 12, Ariana, 4, and Ella-Mae, 2, who were so looking forward to spending time with their little brother.”
The baby is now on the mend and Scott said: “Ajay is doing great, he’s actually phenomenal.
“For anyone going through something similar, we just want to let them know that no matter how tough things get, no matter how hard things are, that they are not alone.”
As well as planning for their own Christmas, the family have launched Ajay’s Appeal to support wee ones who will be spending it in hospital this year.
Scott said: “You get to speak to other families with children who have been in the hospital for different amounts of time and you realise that so many people will not be able to have a family Christmas at home.
“We wanted to do something that would show support to these families and that the staff would also appreciate.
“So far people have been incredibly generous, especially with the cost of living crisis.
“The local supermarket were also great, they donated some food to us which we will give to Ronald McDonald House at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital. We stayed there while Ajay was in hospital and they were so supportive and do so much for families too.
“We hope to make Ajay’s Appeal an annual thing.”
Jamie Redfern, from NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde thanked the family for their generosity.
- Find Ajay’s Appeal on Facebook.
