A YOUNG mum whose first child died unexpectedly has found the inner strength to raise a magnificent £5,000 to purchase lifesaving medical equipment for the Royal Blackburn Teaching Hospital.

One morning last April, 21-year-old Christy Smith from Nelson woke to find her previously healthy seven-week-old son Shay had stopped breathing.

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Despite Christy’s and medics best efforts Shay could not be resuscitated.

Former Blessed Trinity College pupil Christy said: “No parent should have to wake up and find their child not breathing.

“Sudden Infant Death Syndrome brings tragedy to around 300 families a year.

“There is no reason, no explanation, no cure.

“If Shay had had a sleep apnoea monitor, it would have prevented his death.”

Christy, supported by ‘big’ sister Ashleigh and mum Avril Pilling, started a crowdfunding campaign to keep Shay’s memory alive by saving the lives of other babies.

And this week, Christy and her mum visited the children’s ward to donate five sleep apnoea monitors which are now saving lives by alerting nurses and doctors when a baby’s breathing pattern changes.

Sadly, no monitor was available when Shay stopped breathing at home last April, just seven weeks after the ‘water baby’ was born at the Lancashire Women and Newborn Centre at Burnley General Teaching Hospital.

“I will never be able to bring my beautiful baby boy back, but I’m doing everything I can to raise as much awareness and money as possible to keep Shay’s memory alive in a positive way.”

With the support of family and friends, in the last six months Christy has raised an incredible £5,000, including a crib presented to Champs Funerals in Accrington in addition to the new sleep monitors.

“Because of the sleep apnoea monitors, other parents will be spared the trauma of losing their child,” said children’s ward sister, Lisa Walsh.

“It’s good to know they won’t have to go through what Christy did and their child’s life will be saved thanks to her efforts.”