A Grantham mum has launched a fundraising appeal in memory of her baby daughter who died after suffering a cardiac arrest at just nine days old.

Tanita Middleton is aiming to raise £3,000 to create a bereavement suite for parents who have lost a child at Lincoln County Hospital, where baby Amelia Rose passed away on 25 May.

The JustGiving fundraiser launched yesterday (Fri) has already reached almost two-thirds of its target, currently standing at £1,933.

Amelia Rose was Tanita and her partner André Keidel's first child together. The couple have five other children between them, Tanita's sons Mason (6) and Jacob (3) and André's daughters Claudia (12), Heidi (7) and Gabriel (5).

Tanita, who owns Middleton Aesthetics beauty salon in Winchester Road, told Grantham Nub News: "Our beautiful daughter Amelia Rose passed away from a sudden cardiac arrest at just nine days old from a rare heart condition which hadn't been picked up.

"I had a normal pregnancy and Amelia was a healthy weight of 8lbs 3oz when she was born.

"There were no indications that anything was wrong and we went home the next day.

"But at nine-days-old she took a turn for the worse and I rang 999 and went to the hospital by ambulance.

"She suffered a cardiac arrest at Lincoln County Hospital and, although the medical staff tried their best, they couldn't bring her back.

"We got to hold Amelia for about an hour before and another hour after she was taken for a full body and brain scan, carried out when a child dies suddenly to check nothing untoward has occurred.

"Both times we were in the resuscitation room, sitting on plastic chairs surrounded by all the sights you don't want to see after the efforts of trying to bring your baby back from a cardiac arrest.

"While we waited for the scan to be completed we sat in a dingy room with a few chairs.

"Even although I was distraught and crying my eyes out I knew then that there should be something better for parents in our position.

"It wasn't a nice or suitable environment to say our final goodbyes."

Determined to ease the anguish for other parents, Tanita has been back in contact with Lincoln County Hospital and is fundraising to set up a suitable room with a double bed, sofa and tea and coffee-making facilities.

The bereavement suite will be located away from the maternity unit and a plaque will be placed outside in Amelia's memory.

"The room would be decorated with pastel colours and made into a calming place with less of a hospital feel for the parents to lay on the bed, hold, and spend time with their child for the last time.

"No parent should ever have to go through the pain of losing a child and if this makes the experience easier in any way I want to be able to provide that in Amelia's memory.

"Donating just a couple of pounds to the appeal will help make a difference for those who experience still born, infant or child loss.

"Any additional or leftover funds will be donated to help further research into heart conditions."