A GENERAL paediatrician from Ayr has been awarded an MBE for his services to paediatrics and the Scottish Cot Death Charity.

Dr John McClure, originally from Auchinleck, received his MBE from Prince William, on Tuesday, October 31, the same day Sir Billy Connolly was knighted.

Born in Glasgow, Dr McClure moved to Ayrshire with his family at a young age as his dad was a GP.

Coming from a medical background Dr McClure then trained as a doctor at Yorkhill in Glasgow.

Speaking about his experience he said: “It was one of my professors at Yorkhill who thought we could do something to support families who are coming to terms with cot death.

“That’s why we started the Scottish Cot Death Trust in 1985, which is the only cot death charity in Scotland.”

The Trust has three main aims: to raise funds for research into the cause(s) of cot death, to educate the public and health care professionals about cot death and ways of reducing the risks and to improve and extend the support for bereaved families.

Dr McClure added: “We asked parents who had experienced this tragedy how best we, as a charity, could support them as it is always best to walk in another person’s shoes.

“Once we have done that we can educate staff, nurses, doctors, paramedics, because you can be trying to help someone the way you think is best but it might not be helpful.

“This could be the first time someone has experienced a cot death or seen a baby which has passed away. It makes it hard for both the parent and the medical member who is trying to help. 

“We want to help people who have lived through this get on with their lives.

“We also work with the procurator fiscal as there is a process we all must go through after experiencing a cot death.”

Cot death claims the life of one baby or child every nine days in Scotland.
With public help the Scottish Cot Death Trust can raise awareness of the organisation and its work and raise vital funds to make sure they can continue to try and find answers.

Since the Trust was formed 30 years ago, they have invested more than £3million in research. 

They strive to educate parents and professionals on how to reduce the risks as well as support families, all over Scotland, who are living with the devastation caused by cot death.

The Scottish Cot Death Trust has invested more than £3.2 million in research projects locally, nationally and internationally.

They have contributed to global understanding of the pathology and risk factors of sudden unexpected death in infancy.