Family’s huge fundraising challenge in memory of baby Lauren
OVERWHELMING RESPONSE: Pete and Emma Waudby
By Katy Wood
The parents of a baby girl who died from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) are aiming to raise £21,000 for charity to mark her 21st birthday.
Lauren Rose Waudby was just 18-weeks-old when she was found dead in her cot on September 6, 2003.
Since then, her heartbroken parents Emma and Pete, along with their daughter Holly, 26, son Jacob, 17, wider family and friends, have raised more than £22,000 for The Lullaby Trust in memory of Lauren, marking her birthday each year to help others facing similar tragic circumstances.
The charity raises awareness of SIDS, or cot death as it is also known, providing expert advice on safer sleep for babies and offering emotional support for bereaved families.
Now, Emma and Pete have set themselves the huge challenge of raising a further £21,000 for the charity, culminating in a sell-out black tie ball at the MKM Stadium on her birthday, April 27.
They are asking as many people as possible to complete challenges linked to the number 21 to help bring their final year of fundraising to a close.
Emma, 46, from Anlaby, said: “We were absolutely devastated when Lauren died and the shock, panic and utter disbelief that hit us is hard to describe. It was like being trapped in a nightmare.
DEVASTATING LOSS: Lauren Rose Waudby
“But each year we’ve tried to do something positive in Lauren’s memory, creating a lasting legacy and raising money and awareness to help others.
“After almost 21 years we feel we need to do something different and her 21st year will be our final fundraising push. We’ll never forget Lauren, and we may do something different in the future, but what better way to mark her 21st year than to aim for this amazing target.
“We’d love for anyone to join us in raising money, whether you’ve been directly affected by cot death or just want to support our efforts in memory of Lauren.
“It would be fantastic to make this a really fun team effort and get as many families involved as possible, especially our younger generation. We will support anyone who wants to get involved with collection boxes, posters and balloons.”
Alongside the ball, Pete, 50, will complete the London Marathon on April 21, Jacob is planning a skydive this month and Holly is running, walking or cycling 21km every week for 12 weeks, as well as drawing on her artistic talents to raise further funds at the ball.
In addition, family friend Michelle Rollinson will cycle 100 miles on an exercise bike in one day outside Tesco in St Stephen’s Shopping Centre, Hull, on March 30.
Emma, Pete, family and friends will also walk 21 miles of the King Charles III England Coast Path, from Bridlington to Filey, on April 6.
Emma said: “The response has been absolutely overwhelming. We thought it would go well but it has been unbelievable.
“We didn’t even advertise the tables for the ball and it sold out within two weeks. We could have sold it twice over.
“It will be a fantastic evening packed with fun and exciting fundraising activities and some incredible raffle and auction prizes up for grabs.
“The MKM stadium also holds a special place in our hearts because Pete and Jacob follow Hull City and the day of the ball is the team’s final home game of the season, so we hope we’ll be celebrating their promotion to the Premier League too!
“We can’t thank everyone enough for their support so far.”
Anyone who would like to sponsor Emma and Pete and donate to the fundraising total can visit justgiving.com/team/laurenrose21
To discuss setting up your own fundraising event to add to the overall total, email Emma via emma.waudby@cobus.co.uk