A BRAVE Largs couple whose baby daughter was stillborn in November have put their best feet forward to raise funds for a charity close to their hearts.
Stuart Rintoul and Lauren Malloch took part in the Glasgow Kiltwalk to raise cash in memory of their daughter Arla, who was born asleep on November 14, just a few weeks before she was due.
Lauren suffered from the liver condition cholestasis during her pregnancy.
The couple's son Zak was born successfully eight years ago, after Lauren had the same condition, and he took part in Sunday’s Kiltwalk to Loch Lomond.
The family want to raise awareness of the illness, officially known as intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP), as well as raising money for research into, and hopefully a treatment for, the condition.
Stuart, who is a police officer, told the News that the family were determined to do something special for charity in memory of Arla.
Stuart took part in the full 23-mile Mighty Stride from Glasgow, while Lauren was joined by friends and family in the Big Stroll from Clydebank to Balloch.
Together they raised more than £4,000 for research into cholestasis and for bereavement charity SANDS.
Stuart, 30, said: “It is something I have never done before and thankfully the weather was nice.
"I set off at 9am and was finished by 3.30pm. I have some blisters, but I was determined to make it to the finishing line in memory of Arla.
"Lauren and Zak staggered their starting times so that the family could walk together at the finishing line.
Lauren, 32, works as a supervisor at Largs Primary School, where Zak is a pupil.
Stuart said: “We would like to thank the full team of 20 family and friends who took part in the Kiltwalk.
"It means a lot to us. We had great support, and it was a very special day.
"I am also signing up for the Loch Ness Marathon so I hope to raise more funds for such an important cause."
This year's Glasgow Kiltwalk was the biggest ever, with more than 14,000 people raising funds for 869 Scottish charities.
ICP affects around 5,500 women a year in the UK, but is more common in other parts of the world.
It is associated with premature labour, fetal distress and stillbirth.
The importance of the fundraiser was a spur for Stuart and others to reach the finishing line on the day.
He said: "Despite the difficulty of the challenge on the day, it pales into insignificance compared to what we have been through and the importance of fundraising for such an important cause as we reached the finishing line.
"Hopefully it will help provide valuable funds to help provide important research."
To sponsor Stuart and Lauren, go to https://icp-support-fundraisers.raiselysite.com/t/arlarintoul
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