AN appeal has been launched to provide a family with much-needed funds so they can pay for their baby girl’s headstone.

Megan-Rose Gidley tragically died in October 2013 following a 10-month battle for life.

Born with congenital heart disease, little Megan suffered six heart attacks and a stroke shortly after she was born.

Her parents, Jemima and Philip from Bournemouth, later had to make the traumatic decision whether to turn off Megan’s life support, or put her through a risky operation which promised her, at best, a few months respite.

Jemima, a mother-of-three, explained how life had been a struggle since the family lost Megan.

“It’s been difficult. After Megan, I had an ectopic pregnancy. I then fell pregnant with Nathan, which was a very difficult labour.

“He was on life support for hypertension after he was born, and his heart rate was 210bpm. We had to spend several weeks in a mother and baby unit, but he’s doing well now.

“Phil had to take time off work to help look after him, so financially things have been a struggle.”

She continued: “The headstone costs £3,000 and we’ve paid for a third of it so far. The design is made up of a heart (to represent what Megan has now) next to half a heart (to represent Megan’s heart when she was alive) with a cherub sleeping behind it.”

The appeal to help Jemima and Philip pay off the remainder of the memorial has so far raised £200. Jemima said she was hoping to raise the full cost by December 8, which is Megan’s birthday.

She added: “I want to thank my best friend, Heidi Groves, who set up this appeal for me because she really wanted to do something to help.”

Meanwhile, Jemima is continuing to help other families who have children in hospital through her charity, Megan’s Smile. She provides food parcels, vouchers and toiletry bags while promoting awareness of children’s heart defects.

“I set up the charity really quickly after losing Megan as I felt too lost in myself, and I had to do something to help others going through a similar experience,” she added.

To make a donation to Megan’s headstone fund, click here.