A HEARTBROKEN mum hopes to raise hundreds of pounds in memory of her daughter who died just days after taking part in a sponsored walk in aid of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.

Claire Kitto, from Wallasey, was left devastated when her ‘special little princess’ Freya Mae died last August at just 22 months old.

It came just days after the pair had taken part in a fundraiser for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. – the condition initially blamed for her death before a post mortem uncovered Freya had died from pneumonia.

This weekend marks the first anniversary of Freya’s death, with 31-year-old Claire organising another sponsored walk in aid of Alder Hey’s bereavement centre on Sunday.

“I was going to go on holiday but I need to be around lots of friends and family if I’m going to get through this,” said 31-year-old Claire.

Freya had been put to bed as usual after spending the day with Claire and her boyfriend.

But what had been a happy day soon turned to heartbreak when Claire checked on her daughter and realised she had been sick and had no pulse.

Her partner performed mouth-to-mouth on Freya before the ambulance crew arrived but she was pronounced dead at Arrowe Park Hospital.

More than 100 people are expected to take part in Sunday’s walk, which starts at Seacombe Ferry at 10am and ends at Sheridan’s in Wallasey Village.

“The money I’m raising is going to the bereavement centre at Aldery Hey that looked after Freya and I got her christened there too,” said Claire.

“Money is also going to the premature unit there because Freya was born four weeks early. She wasn’t classed as premature but it’s close to me.”

Claire added: “The fundraising has helped me to get through it but I haven’t been able to do as much because it’s hitting me hard now – it’s still really raw.”

Anyone who wants to take part in the walk should meet at Seacombe Ferry at 10am on Sunday, August 16.

The group will then walk to Sheridan’s where there will be a bouncy castle, face painting, live band and entertainment for all.

Claire added: “Everyone is wearing pink and will have tops on with Freya’s face on them. We haven’t set up a JustGiving page because I want every single penny we raise to go to Alder Hey. We’ll have buckets on the prom.

“The kids have been going around the streets with buckets and sponsor forms and have already got £200 – I’m hoping we’ll raise more than £500 on Sunday.”