A mum from County Durham is fundraising £10,000 to develop a potentially life-saving app after a toddler in Lincolnshire died of starvation after his dad suffered a heart attack.

Shelley Johnson, 46, from Crook, said she "could not sleep" upon hearing the story of two-year-old tot Bronson Battersby whose tragic death in Skegness after his 60-year-old father, Kenneth, died leaving him alone.

Young Bronson was last seen alive on Boxing Day, and despite unanswered door knocks from social services, he died from what is believed to have been starvation and dehydration.

Police discovered his and his father's body on January 9.

Since then, Shelley, who has two grandchildren, decided to brainstorm ideas on how to prevent future tragedies like this for the vulnerable, caregivers and those who live alone that would assure loved ones they are safe and well.

The Northern Echo: Shelley Johnson.Shelley Johnson. (Image: SHELLEY JOHNSON)

She has now named the app Angel Alert, which would work by using phone activity data from users to alert a nominated safe contact of their online presence and in turn, their wellbeing.

Shelley said: "I read the story of Bronson online a few weeks ago. That evening, I just could not sleep - it upset me to think that this little boy passed away on his own.

"It is just such an awful thing to happen. I have a grandson who is 2 and a granddaughter who is 3 and it made me think about them. There has to be something we can do."

Following a consultation with an app developer, Shelley needs to fundraise £10,000 to get the app off the ground.

Shelley added: "It is so easy in this day and age to ring someone and conclude that they will call you back later. But, this app would prompt that call, and alert someone that something is not quite right.

"If for example, someone fell over and after four hours they had not opened their phone up, someone would be alerted of that."

The Northern Echo: Shelley Johnson and her granddaughter Paisley.Shelley Johnson and her granddaughter Paisley. (Image: SHELLEY JOHNSON)

So far, Shelley has received an outpouring of support for the app.

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"I have had companies reach out and offer to provide items for raffles, so we can raise money that way. 

"A few people have donated so far, but I have had messages from single parents who have said they want this app to happen because what happened to Bronson would be their worst nightmare."

Should Shelley reach her target, the app would take around two months to develop before moving into testing. 

At the moment, her target is for a summer release. To donate to the fundraiser, click here.