Jamie McGrigor, Highlands & Islands MSP, today praised the work of the Scottish Cot Death Trust during a debate in the Scottish Parliament marking the charity’s 30th anniversary.Speaking in today’s debate Jamie said:“ I am pleased to join other members in commending the excellent efforts of the Scottish Cot Death Trust- the only cot death charity in Scotland- and all those who work for it, volunteer or help fundraise for it. Despite being extremely rare, cot death or Sudden Infant Death Syndrome is still the most common cause of death for infants between 1 and 12 months old and in Scotland, a child dies from cot death every 9 days“ As a father of 6 children, four of them still at school, I find it difficult to imagine the extent of the pain and darkness of losing a child, something no parent should experience; but the loss of a healthy infant, suddenly and without explanation, must be absolutely devastating and beyond heart-breaking and that is why all MSPs should be grateful that the Scottish Cot Death Trust is there to support our bereaved parent constituents in these circumstances. The Trust’s website is a fantastic resource for parents and their families.“ While it seems unlikely that all cot deaths can be prevented, the risk factors associated with cot death can be reduced. Therefore, like other members, I would urge prospective parents to look at the “Reduce the Risk” leaflet which is very clear and helpful and offers parents-to-be straightforward advice on such things as placing babies on their back to sleep, keeping them away from smoke, breastfeeding and dummy use. It appears that reducing risk factors, primarily by encouraging parents to place babies on their back to sleep, notably since the time of the 1991 Back to Sleep campaign, has helped gradually decrease the incidence of cot deaths over the last few decades and we must continue to make progress.“ The Scottish Cot Death Trust not only supports bereaved parents and educates the public and health care professionals about cot death and ways of reducing the risks, but also is committed to funding medical research into cot death and this is to be very much welcomed. Indeed since it was established in 1985, the Scottish Cot Death Trust has invested more than £3 million in research projects locally, nationally and internationally. We still know relatively little about the causes of cot death and this must change. Why for example are premature babies more affected and second and later born infants at greater risk than the first born?“ On behalf of my party I congratulate the Scottish Cot Death Trust on their 30th anniversary and thank all those involved in the Trust for the work they do on behalf of all our constituents. I wish them every success as they continue their critically important and valuable work in the years ahead.”