Grieving dad thanks Bo’ness United Community Club for its support

A Bo’ness United coach has revealed how the club has helped him deal with the tragic death of his three-year-old daughter from sepsis.
Andy Aitken, with his three year old daughter Harper who tragically passed away last year from Sepsis.Andy Aitken, with his three year old daughter Harper who tragically passed away last year from Sepsis.
Andy Aitken, with his three year old daughter Harper who tragically passed away last year from Sepsis.

Joiner Andy Aitken (42) has coached the community football club’s 2007 boys‘ team for eight years. Andy and his partner Lori Mullen (35) tragically lost their three-year old daughter Harper to sepsis in March last year, after she was initially sent home with a ‘stomach bug’.

“It was a tough time. The next day she was rushed to hospital. I had to watch her die,” recalled Andy.

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“There was no sign of sepsis at all the day before she felt sick. She was playing away.

Cayden Aitken, pictured in his Bo'ness Utd strip with his sister Harper.Cayden Aitken, pictured in his Bo'ness Utd strip with his sister Harper.
Cayden Aitken, pictured in his Bo'ness Utd strip with his sister Harper.

“The next day she was sick and developed a rash.

“I would like to make others aware of sepsis and the dangers of how quick it can take hold, so no other families have to go through this.”

Since then, Andy has channelled all of his energy into the club – by delivering training sessions on Zoom during lockdown and helping get ready for the recent return to training.

He said: “The club has been fantastic. It’s hard to describe.

The Bo'ness United Community Football Club 2007's match kit with Harper’s name on the back.The Bo'ness United Community Football Club 2007's match kit with Harper’s name on the back.
The Bo'ness United Community Football Club 2007's match kit with Harper’s name on the back.
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“After Harper died it was like the ‘four wall syndrome’. Not being at work and not coaching the team.

“I just thought ‘I have to get out and do something’.

“Everyone at the club helped me, checking up on me. I feel they don’t understand what they have done for me. I have to give particular thanks to David Blackwood, Mike Kennedy, Mark MacDonald and J-O Snedden.

“I will never feel properly human again but club chairman Peter Hay has really helped me, He ordered pink armbands for all the club’s teams with Harper’s name embroidered on them, and all the teams had a minute’s silence.

“I went along to the under 13s boys team’s match and I was in tears during the silence. It was a really nice thing to do.

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“Also my son Cayden, who played for the 2007 team, has been a solid rock for me. I don’t think the laddies in my team know what they have done for me. They and the club have saved me. The coaching has kept my mind of what happened and kept me going.”

Harper’s name is embroidered on the back of the 2007 boys’ match kits. The club also arranged a charity football match between the Bo’ness and Stenhousemuir coaches in January, raising £750 for the Sepsis Trust.

Bo’ness United Community Football Club communications manager Sarah Crawford-Wilkinson said: “In many ways, I think football has been Andy’s saviour. There’s a real camaraderie here, not only between the coaches but within the 2007 squad too.”

For more information about Sepsis, go to https://sepsistrust.org/.

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