Our Team
Anam Cara Fasgadh, an award-winning charity established in 2018, is a beacon of hope and support for families navigating the profound grief from the death a child.
Founded by four friends united by their own experiences with bereavement, the charity offers a sanctuary in the form of respite accommodation at Poppy’s Place, a tranquil caravan located on the scenic West Coast of Scotland.
The founders, alongside a dedicated team of trustees, bring decades of experience in supporting bereaved families, ensuring that empathy and understanding are at the heart of their mission.
Their efforts have been recognized with the Scotland’s People Award in 2023 and the Regional Hero Award in 2024, a testament to their unwavering commitment to providing comfort and creating cherished memories for those who have faced unimaginable loss.
Our Founders
Michael McGuire, Founder
My name is Michael ~ I'm a Father of 2 children, Kyle and Amelie.
I'm a former RAF serviceman, now back living in my home-town of Fort William with my young family.
Anam Cara Fasgadh is my shared dream. After the success of the Scottish Parliament abolishing Child Funeral Fees in 2018 it led to 4 friends deciding they wanted to do more.
It is an honour to be a Co-Founder of this charity.
My firstborn, and only Son, Kyle was born asleep in 2009 at 32 weeks. This is my chance to give something back and create a legacy for all our children gone too soon.
Susan Simpson, Founder
My name is Susan and I feel so blessed to be a Co-Founder of Anam Cara Fasgadh. This charity is the culmination of the hopes and dreams of all those involved and stems from a passion to see bereaved families receive the very best support, care and understanding.
I have a background in addictions, homelessness support and counselling and have been volunteering to support bereaved families since 2011. I now work as an Additional Support Needs Teaching Assistant in our local High School. I’m married to Andrew and I am proud Mum to Charis, Alex, Niamh and Eilidh Beth, though sadly Alex and Eilidh Beth wait for us on the other side of the veil.
Shortly after Eilidh Beth’s funeral our family and my parents took a break at Loch Monzivard. The moment I crossed the threshold of our lodge and sat down I felt a weight had been lifted ~ I still grieved for our daughter, but I felt an immense sense of peace … I could breath again.
This is what I am humbled to to see Anam Cara Fasgadh offering families ~ a place of peace and serenity.
Andrew Simpson, Founder & Chairperson
My name is Andrew and Anam Cara Fasgadh has been a dream I’ve held for a long time, one that I first shared with Michael a few years ago ~ it is superb to work with such an inspirational team of people.
I’m married to Susan, and we have 4 amazing daughters ~ two of them we watch grow up here on earth, and two wait for us in Heaven. I’m an EPOS Database Engineer/Analyst for the National Trust for Scotland but have been volunteering with youth agencies and in bereavement support for many years. I hail from Inverness but we now live in Argyll.
As a family we know that the grief never leaves, the feelings of loss never go, that we just learn to live without our children. It’s a privilege to be able to gift holidays to bereaved families and to walk by their side in their grief journey.
Our Trustees
David Bunting, Trustee
My name is David ~ I’m married to Megan & we have an amazing daughter Abigail. I work in the construction sector operating 360 Diggers, & previously owned my own business in landscaping which was multi award winning within its sector.
We first heard about Anam Cara Fasgadh, through my wife’s brother who is friends with Michael, after we lost our little Oliver suddenly aged 4 months old.
Since being introduced to the charity we have spent Oliver’s anniversary at Poppy’s place ~ a very special place that no words can describe which has made a massive difference to our lives, I would personally say it saved my life as I had struggled for a long time.
I am a custom car enthusiast! I own some custom cars & organise an annual custom car show each August. I decided to use this event to help raise awareness & funds for Anam Cara Fasgadh as a way of giving back & we are delighted that on our 1st year supporting the charity we raised over £1100.00.
It is an absolute honour to be invited to be a Trustee of the charity, very humbling, and I look forward to supporting the charity.
Tracey France, Trustee & Treasurer
Tracey France is Mum to Harry, Adam, Scott and Deri and married to Michael. She has a background in sales and is delighted to join the team at Anam Cara Fasgadh as treasurer.
Tracey and Michael’s 2nd son Adam was stillborn at 6 months in 2007. His death completely changed their lives and their outlook on life. Tracey says, “I will never ever get over his death but as the years have passed I have learned to live with his loss.
“I walked out of the hospital with nothing but an envelope in my hand, and that’s where I find my passion from to support and care for bereaved families.
“Susan and I met through SiMBA and together we supported many bereaved families throughout Argyll. I am absolutely delighted to come onboard and can’t wait to support as many families as I can.”
Irene Harvey, Trustee & Secretary
My name is Irene Harvey, I’m married to Bill and have three children and four granddaughters.
I’m a retired school clerical officer and have been volunteering in various capacities for many years.
Both my daughters have experienced the loss of babies and as a parent it’s the hardest thing to face, seeing your child mourn the death of their child ~ trying to strengthen and support them while you are grieving your own feelings of loss as a grandparent.
I was delighted to join the Board of Anam Cara Fasgadh as their secretary and count it an honour to help families find their perfect week at Poppy’s Place.
Margaret Hurst, Trustee
My name is Margaret Hurst, I am married to Iain and have two daughters and a granddaughter.
I came to know of Anam Cara Fasgadh through my friendship with Irene and although I have no personal experience of baby loss I have witnessed the grief of friends who have lost babies or older children and it is heart wrenching to see.
I am an additional support needs teacher in the local secondary school and am approaching retirement soon, when I hope to be able to commit much more time to the charity.
Lesley Sweetman
My name is Lesley and I became aware of Anam Cara Fasgadh through Argyll and Bute Third Sector Interface (TSI).
Hearing of their amazing work and the wish to strengthen their Board of Trustee's, particularly with fundraising experience, I felt moved to respond and offer support.
There are many incredible charities, but Anam Cara Fasgadh's support for people experiencing the loss of a child or young person provides a selfless source of comfort at arguably one of the worst times. Within my family, the loss of an adult child, years on leaves a deep and lasting scare.
Drawing upon my business management experience and more recently, successes in grant funding for a larger, well established charity operating throughout Argyll and Bute, my aim is to provide business development and fundraising assistance to help sustain current services and realise the vision for increased availability of gifted respite accommodation and support to bereaved families.
Claire Wilson, Accountant
I am an accountant living in Edinburgh with my husband and two girls.
In 2013 our son Leo was stillborn at term. We were so fortunate to have a break away a few weeks after he died. Much needed time away from everyday life where we could just be and do what we needed at that time with no pressure.
When I was approached to be involved with Anam Cara Fasgadh, I loved the idea. Being able to have a bit of space and time is so important but it’s not always possible for some families. Knowing who was involved and knowing how incredibly passionate they are, I was sure that this could be turned into something that will bring so much benefit to bereaved families. I’m excited to be a small part of something which I know will do so much good and bring some comfort at a truly devastating time.
Claire stepped down as Trustee in 2022 but continues to support Anam Cara Fasgadh with the annual accounts.
Our Amazing Team: Celebrating Those Who Have Moved On
Jenni Morris, Founder & Former Trustee
My name is Jenni, and I am one of the co-founders of Anam Cara Fasgadh. My background is in childcare, and I studied children’s Learning and Development while my family were young. In 2011, my son Theo died in pregnancy, and it became my mission to raise awareness about infant loss and find ways to support other families like mine. In 2012, my 5th child, Jay, also died in pregnancy. I had never felt so alone and lost at that time.
I could see there was a need for more bereavement support and decided to train as a counsellor. I now work in bereavement services, supporting families who have experienced the loss of a baby, child or young person.
The opportunity to create such a wonderful charity with some of the most inspiring and hardworking people I have had the pleasure to meet was one I could not miss. Michael, Susan, Andrew and I have spent years supporting people through various channels. We are delighted to pull all our experience together to create a space for individuals and families to have a break and start to process their grief, specifically families who might not normally get that opportunity. I know how important it was for my own family to have time away together when our boys died.
My dream is in our name and what that translates to in English and reality ~ Love and Shelter for Bereaved Souls.
Jenni stepped down as Trustee in 2022.
Niki Walker, Former Trustee & Treasurer
My name is Niki Walker.
I met Jenni a few years ago and when she told me in 2018 about the idea they had for a charity I said I’d be happy to help in any way I could. Jenni asked me to take on the role of Treasurer, she knows I love a spreadsheet and numbers are my thing, and so I gladly agreed!
I have more than 15 years’ experience in financial administration. I manage the accounts office for our family run Garage & MOT center, in addition to this I work part time running the accounts and payroll for 2 other small local businesses.
I am married to Mark and have an 8 year old who loves to make up dance routines and Vlog!!
I have personal experience of how devastating losing a baby can be, it can be overwhelming and consuming and had I had the opportunity to escape from life and spend time away to grieve temporarily I know it would have helped when ‘normal’ life resumed.
I’m very proud to be involved in getting this charity up and running and am excited to be apart of something that I know can make a difference for grieving families.
Niki stepped down as Trustee and Treasurer in 2022.