Dundee dad uses football to deal with grief

Fraser Rennie has set up a football team in Tayside for men to open up about baby loss.

tribute to Fraser's son Jonathan
Published 22nd Jun 2020
Last updated 22nd Jun 2020

It's hoped a new service for bereaved dads will offer a safe space for a dialogue surrounding baby loss.

Sands UK allows men to use football across the country to deal with grief, but currently only has one base in Scotland.

The organisation aims to get dads, brothers, grandfathers talking about neonatal or stillbirth deaths.

Fraser Rennie and his partner lost their son Jonathan, three hours after his birth last August.

The 22-year-old said: "It was horrific, I don't have any words describe what we went through.

"We didn't know where to turn or who to speak to as there wasn't really much support, for men or women, in Tayside."

Sands United FC Dundee

Fraser joined forces with Sands UK to create a Dundee team which he now manages.

They are looking for players to join up but it's not so much about skill on the pitch.

He said: "It will give people a chance to open up and speak.

"The whole perception of men is to not speak about their feelings, I want to break that mental health barrier that it's ok not to be ok. It's ok to be upset. It's ok to cry."

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