A MOTHER who lost two children has appealed for more to be done to support the families of premature babies.

Jill Lynch and her family were left heartbroken after losing premature babies Stephen and Billy in 2000 and 2002 respectively.

Their difficulties continued when son Tristen – born at just 24 weeks in 2003 – had to endure a series of transfusions and a major heart operation as a newborn.

While the family struggled alone to cope with the deaths of Stephen and Billy, they were given invaluable support throughout Tristen’s ordeal by charity Bliss.

Mrs Lynch is now working to raise awareness of the vital work the charity does.

She said: “We lost two babies and Tristen was very lucky to survive, it was an absolute nightmare.

“We didn’t have much support when we were going through the deaths of our babies and having funerals for them –it was the worst thing ever and just can’t be described.

“They didn’t do a lot for my husband Stephen in hospital, they focus mostly on the mother and he was just left to grieve in the background and we had two other children who were just teenagers and we had to support them too.

“We didn’t find out about Bliss until Tristen was born. but they helped so much, they give support to families who have lost babies, they help the father a lot and those helping are often parents who have also lost babies so know what you are going through.

“There should be more support for families like ours and the more money and awareness we can raise for Bliss, the more help and support they can give.”

A fun day organised by the Lynch family raised £160 this weekend for Bliss.

For more information or to donate to the charity, visit bliss.org.uk.