A MUM whose healthy 14-week-old baby died in his sleep is determined to help find a cot death cure.

Krista McAlpine woke up one morning four weeks ago at her Tyldesley home to discover William dead in his cot.

Just hours earlier she had put William -- her only child -- to bed for the night. He had been in perfect health and as always Krista had wrapped him up and given him a kiss goodnight before going to bed herself, not suspecting for a moment that she was about to lose her baby.

William had been sleeping soundly when Krista's partner Mark Bougourd left for work earlier that morning, little realising he would never see his son alive again.

A post mortem examination failed to determine the cause of death.

All tests established William had been a "healthy and thriving baby".

Krista, 23, of Troutbeck Drive said: "I want to know why he died. I want research to be done into sudden infant deaths.

"I don't want other people to have to go through what my partner and I have gone through. I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy."

Krista is holding a charity night on April 27 at 8pm in the Astley and Tyldesley Miners Welfare Club, Meanley Road, Gin Pit Village, in aid of the Foundation of Sudden Infant Death.

On the night there will be a disco and raffles for footballs signed by Bolton Wanderers and Manchester City players.

She said: "You never know, we may raise the pound that puts an end to this happening."

The Foundation provides a 24-hour helpline, informs parents of ways they can reduce the risk of cot death and carries out research into sudden infant death.

Krista vividly remembers the horrifying day when she lost William.

She said: "I had woken up a little later than usual and I began to plan what William and I do would do together that day.

"I went into his room but he wasn't moving. I rubbed his cheek but he still didn't move or make a sound."

She dialled 999 and tried to resuscitate William. An ambulance transported him to the Royal Bolton Hospital where doctors tried in vain to revive him.

Krista, who works part time in the bar at the Gin Pit club said William's death had left a "huge void" in both her life and that of Mark, a department manager.

She said: "William had just started smiling and laughing. He was getting to that age were we could start having fun with him. I had started taking him outside into the garden. We did everything together. He has left a massive void in our lives. No matter how much you work nothing fills it. I do feel angry. I want to know why this has happened. I can't go into the shops that I used to go into with him. I start shaking. When I'm working and a Christening party comes in I can't stay." Krista and Mark had done everything they could to keep William healthy.

Krista said: "Nobody was allowed to smoke around him and we made sure he never got too warm. We followed all the guidelines."

The couple buried their boy in his best fleecy suit "to keep him warm" and they have dedicated a patch in the back garden of their semi-detached home to his memory, labelled simply, 'William's Garden'.

Anyone who would like tickets for the charity night can contact Krista on 01942 888366. Tickets cost £1.50.

lCALLOUS thieves caused further heartache for William's family. Floral tributes, specially made by Krista, disappeared from his grave at Howe Bridge Cemetery. Krista fears they were stolen to be sold or given as Mother's Day presents. Borough cemetries manager Mr Tony Bassett confirmed he had received a call from Krista reporting flowers and several items missing from William's grave. Mr Bassett said: "We do not get things stolen from graves a great deal but it does happen from time to time." He added as far as he knew the items had not been returned or discovered.