Heartbreaking tribute paid to young child who passed away in her sleep during a ‘normal night’ in Bathgate, West Lothian. Kerris Mitchell, a two-year-old, tragically died in her bed despite her parents describing the night as completely ordinary. Steph and Donny, Kerris’s parents, discovered her lifeless body shortly after midnight, with pathologists suspecting Sudden Unexplained Death in Childhood as the cause. This devastating event occurred on January 4, and almost a year later, the couple has shared their journey of coping with the loss by organising events in Kerris’s memory.
Steph and Donny have chosen to honour Kerris’s memory by hosting Santa visits in their community, including at local cemeteries. Originally starting these visits for Kerris, who disliked traditional Santa grottos, the couple decided to revive the tradition after her passing to focus on something positive and keep her memory alive. They expanded the visits to include all children under 16 at the cemeteries to spread joy during the festive season.
With the first Christmas without Kerris proving to be incredibly challenging for the family, Steph expressed the emotional toll of carrying on the Santa visits without her daughter. Despite the difficulties, the couple found solace in bringing comfort to other families during Christmas and intend to continue the event in Kerris’s honour, raising funds for charities such as Ronald Macdonald House and the Edinburgh Children Hospital Charity.
Looking ahead, Steph and Donny plan to sustain the Santa event as a testament to their daughter’s enduring memory and the positive impact it has on their community. Their resilience in the face of unimaginable grief serves as an inspiration to keep Kerris’s spirit alive through acts of kindness and generosity.
In summary, Steph and Donny’s unwavering dedication to preserving Kerris’s memory through community events like the Santa visits exemplifies the strength and resilience of a grieving family. Their initiative not only honours Kerris but also brings joy to others in need during challenging times, demonstrating the enduring power of love and remembrance in the face of loss.