A ray of light in dark hours

THE poignant story of the final days of gran Nicky Macrae’s life is an inspiring tale of how people can work together in the most difficult of circumstances to bring a ray of light into the darkest hours.

Nicky’s rare terminal condition – diagnosed only a month before – had rapidly deteriorated in October last year. She was in the Highland Hospice and it appeared unlikely she would live long enough to see her grandson Ethan, despite daughter Rachel electing to give birth a few weeks early by Caesarian section.

But all the professionals involved pulled together to make it happen. Within 40 minutes of the birth, the hospice arranged an ambulance to whisk Nicky across town to Raigmore Hospital where an area was set aside in the Special Care Baby Unit to allow her to be with baby Ethan and the family for an hour.

Sadly, Nicky slipped into a coma back at the hospice a few hours later and passed away three days later.

But that precious hour at Raigmore will live on in the memory of the family.

It was priceless time, but now Nicky’s husband Gordon and the rest of the family want to give something back and are embarking on fund-raising efforts for the hospice. He was one of the first to volunteer for the Strictly Inverness 2011 dance extravaganza which the Highland News is proud to be associated with as media partner.

We hope Nicky and Gordon’s touching story will inspire others to assist fund-raising efforts for a charity providing a highly professional, dignified and caring environment in often difficult circumstances – a jewel in the crown of medical services in the Highlands.