Child and Maternal Health

Our Caring Hero 2016

June 14, 2016 by Ellie Clark No Comments | Category Awards

Midwife Sara Fitzsimmons head of the stillbirth charity Simpson’s Memory Box Appeal (SiMBA), was crowned Our Caring Hero at the Daily Record Our Heroes Awards in a star-studded ceremony in Glasgow on Friday May 13.

This is the fifth year that the Scottish Government Health and Social Care Directorates have sponsored the Our Caring Hero Award, which recognises the selfless endeavours of a member of the caring/medical profession who has gone out of their way to help those in their care.

Sara set up the charity to gather precious items for parents whose babies have died, been stillborn or miscarried. Since their launch 10 years ago, SiMBA have supplied more than 9000 boxes to 150 maternity units. Sara said “SiMBA were set up because I noticed a real lack of support for families coping with the loss of a loved one.”

With more than two decades’ experience as a midwife Sara devotes all her spare time to the charity, who now have eight support groups across Scotland. She added “We guide the parents through this tragic but most precious time by gathering these items. “SiMBA aim to provide the precious memory box to any maternity unit who wish to have them.”

Sara, who works at Simpson’s Centre for Reproductive Health in Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, was shortlisted along with Maureen Taggart and Karen Kopusiack from the Strathcarron Hospice @ Home service, and charity volunteers David Heart and Steven Gay.

Professor Jason Leitch, National Clinical Director of Healthcare Quality and Strategy, Scottish Government presented Sara with her award. Jason said “Sara was a worthy winner on an evening of amazing stories of compassion and going the extra mile. In the Caring Hero category alone, there were three powerful stories of innovation and care. Congratulations to all.”

Find out more

• Simpson’s Memory Box Appeal (SiMBA) Website
• Daily Record Our Heroes Awards Nomination Story
• Daily Record Our Heroes Awards

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