A MOTHER is raising money for a children's hospital in memory of her 16-month-old son who died last month.

Kayleigh Southern, 24, from Consett, County Durham, is hoping to buy a fitting headstone for Brooklyn Crone, who died following complications last month.

She has designed a memorial for her son who is buried in Blackhill Cemetery but she needs help to pay for it.

The care assistant is also donating money for the children’s heart unit at the Freeman Hospital, in Newcastle, which cared for him after he was born with a hole in the heart.

Miss Southern said: “We do not know yet know how he died. It was something to do with him bring poorly, but it was unexpected.

“We knew he might only have a certain amount of time, but it was very sudden and we were not prepared for it.

“I am just taking it one day at a time at the minute and my family and friends have been really supportive.”

Miss Southern’s friend Kimberley Goldsmith has organised a sponsored five-mile fun run from Derwent Walk, Blackhill to Rowlands Gill on Sunday, August 17.

Miss Southern is doing a 175m bungee jump at Bishop Ian Ramsay School, at Medomsley, on August 23 with her friend Amy Price. Some of money raised will be given to Cancer Research in memory of Miss Price’s father.

She said: “I do not know how I am going to do it. I can barely look out of the bedroom window.”

She also plans to do bag packing at Tesco, Consett over the next few months and a charity night is being organised at Bar 1898, Consett, with Becca Boyle, Janet Goldsmith and musician Nick Shaw, of the Dust Town Dogs.

Miss Southern said: “The heart unit kept him alive for so long I would have not seen two or three months with him without their help so I want to raise money for them.

“We are supporting Cancer Research for Amy’s dad and everyone is affected by cancer at some point in their lives.

“We are hoping to have the headstone in place by Christmas. I have designed it myself. It is a big one with kerbing around it and Disney characters.

“I just want to raise as much as possible but I am hoping to raise around £5,000 in total.”

To support Miss Southern's fundraising campaign call 01207-747853 or 07713-921411 or visit justgiving.com/kayleigh-southern