Dundee family left touched by royal letter

She is one of the most famous women in the world and is about to give birth at any moment.

But the Duchess of Cambridge has taken time to write to a Tayside family who are raising cash to help tackle a pregnancy sickness condition that she suffered.

Heather Miranda was struck down with the “horrendous and debilitating” medical condition hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) when she was carrying her first son Joseph in 2009.

The duchess, who is due to have her first baby this weekend and was at university at the same time as 32-year-old Heather, was also diagnosed with HG after she was taken to a London hospital in December.

Now Heather’s father, David Robinson, from Brechin, has organised a fundraising event for the charity Pregnancy Sickness Support.

He was stunned when Kate took time out of her busy schedule to write a letter sending her “best wishes” for his charity quiz event.

The duchess sent the heartfelt note after David told her about Heather going through the same ordeal during her pregnancy.

Heather, who volunteers with Pregnancy Sickness Support, was delighted the cause was given the royal seal of approval.

The West End resident, said: “Kate Middleton has sent a letter to my dad sending us her ‘best wishes’ for the fundraising quiz event. Pregnancy Sickness Support provides information and support to those who suffer from extreme nausea and vomiting in pregnancy, and also for their carers.

“It helps women suffering from HG, which is at the extreme end of the pregnancy sickness spectrum and is a hugely debilitating disease.

“The sufferer is left bed-bound for months, unable to do anything. It’s tortuous and extremely isolating, leaving you with no quality of life at what should be such a happy time.”

She added: “We were quite surprised to get a letter back. It’s a great thing to have.

“I’m sure my dad has hidden it away in a safe place.”

The quiz is on Tuesday July 30 at the Caledonian Hotel, Brechin, at 7.30pm.

Teams, of up to four people, are £12 each and can be booked at David Robinson optician, St David Street, Brechin, or by calling 01356 236055. There will also be a raffle and all money goes to the charity.

Heather added: “Pregnancy Sickness Support is in desperate need of funding and will be enormously grateful for all money raised.

“The charity is tiny, with extremely limited funding, and manned by volunteers who give their time and effort freely.”

For information about HG, to volunteer or to make a donation, visit the pregnancysicknesssupport.org.uk website.

Source The tele.co.uk