Bereaved families charity opens second respite caravan

Anam Cara Fasgadh’s new respite space Gabriel’s Oasis was named in loving memory of a special little boy whose legacy  contributed £18,500 towards the project.

Gabriel, the precious son of Laura and Jonathan McLeish who live near Glasgow,  was delivered ’sleeping’, eight months into the pregnancy and just hours after the couple were given the terrible news that he had died in the womb.

Thanks to support of the McLeish family and others, the new caravan opened lat month to give other grieving families a place to breathe, experience compassion and feel care, said one of the charity’s founders Susan Simpson who said people’s generosity has blown them away.

After an 18-month fundraising campaign, the charity has successfully raised £50,000 to secure the second bereavement retreat caravan at Tralee Bay Coastal Parks.

Anam Cara Fasgadh already has Poppy’s Place at Tralee but it has been in such demand that there has been a waiting list of families. That caravan has now come to the end of its lease and is on the market for a new buyer so funds from it can go straight into the pot to purchase a newer model that can open its doors to families in their time of need.

Talking about Gabriel’s Oasis, one of Anam Cara Fasgadh’s directors Susan Simpson, said: "This gentle space has been created with love and care and is named after a very special wee boy. It is somewhere families can rest, reflect, and simply be. Gabriel’s Oasis stands as a place of peace, connection and healing, and we are honored to now open its doors to those who need it most." 

She added: "We had hoped to find somewhere that Poppy’s Place could open again but a lot of holiday parks have caravans that have to be of a certain age. We always knew that Poppy’s lease ended at the end of 2025. it will be sold, we are looking for a buyer and the funds will go straight to buying a newer model. Instead of focusing on those doors being shut for now, we are focusing on the many lives that Poppy’s has made a huge difference too since it opened and will continue to through the use of funds from it."

The charity has also just announced its next butterfly release, a poignant gathering for families to come together in remembrance and to share hope, will be at Dunollie Museum Castle & Grounds on Saturday May 30.

To find out more about the charity’s work and how you can show support, visit here www.anamcarafasgadh.org/&source=gmail&ust=1772701337336000&usg=AOvVaw1QE9GJeTqCidTk0CPcm-dZ">www.anamcarafasgadh.org