AN ALLOA couple who started a fundraising campaign in memory of their late son have set their sights on raising £10,000 for a children’s charity.

Earlier this year, Jamie Bruce, 29, and Ashley Gordon, 24, lost their baby Leo to congenital heart disease just 19 days after he was born.

However, if it hadn’t been for Ronald McDonald House (RMD) in Glasgow, they would have been forced to stay in a hotel, or to leave him in the hospital alone while he received treatment.

After having battled through an incredibly tough time, the duo have decided to give something back to the cause which is now so close to their hearts.

In the meantime, they have been inundated with support from loved ones, while Jamie even received a letter from Rangers striker Kenny Miller.

Jamie told the Advertiser: “We have found the past few months extremely difficult. “Ashley and I felt the need to focus on something else which in a way included our son, even if only in memory.

“Ashley and I feel without the help from such an amazing charity like RMH in our hours of need we would have been in the most precarious position, as we live in Alloa and our son Leo was being treated in the new Royal Hospital for Sick Children in Govan, Glasgow.”

RMD is run independently and operated by Yorkhill Family House Ltd, which is required to fundraise to meet the ongoing costs.

During 2016, it supported around 504 families with children in hospital. And in their quest to give something back, Jamie and fiancée Ashley have been boosted by the support of those close to them.

Jamie said: “I can honestly say we have received tremendous support from family and friends, so much in fact that Ashley’s friend Gary Kay has been superb in helping us [organise] a charity race night this September.

“My best friend Jordan Coutts ran the Edinburgh Half Marathon in memory of Leo to raise £608 for RMH.

“And last, but certainly not least, Leo’s grandad Paul Gordon, Ashley’s dad, will be abseiling down the Forth Road Bridge to raise money and awareness of RMH and Leo’s condition, which was congenital heart disease.”

Amid their grief, the couple were heartened by the message penned by footballer Kenny Miller.

It read: “On behalf of all the players and staff at Rangers Football Club, I would like to take this opportunity to express our sadness and send you our sincerest condolences after the passing of your son, Leo.

“I understand that you are a huge Rangers supporter and you were planning on bringing Leo to Ibrox to carry on the tradition down the generations.

“It is fantastic that you are organising a fundraiser for Ronald McDonald House at this difficult time and it shows the strength of both Ashley and yourself.”

Organised by Ashley, the kind words they received has served to lift them up.

Jamie said: “Ashley has been working extremely hard, trying to gather prizes for the fundraiser we are having.

“She got in touch with Rangers FC, they donated some wonderful prizes, and in correspondence with the lady at Ibrox, she kindly asked if a letter from one of the players would be okay and asked which one and I chose Kenny Miller.

“The letter means so much to not only me but Ashley too. It was so heartfelt and genuine, it sort of cheered us up a little, just knowing other people outside family and friends cared, and were listening.”

To donate to the couple’s cause, please visit their Just Giving page.

For more on Ronald McDonald House in Glasgow, head to the website.