Family and friends turn grief into touching tribute to baby Florence

Loved ones join forces to raise money for hospital unit

A fundraising day is being held by the grieving family of a baby girl to say thank you to those who cared for her before she died.

Florence Brockman spent 12 weeks in the neonatal intensive care unit in the Evelina Children’s Hospital in London before being transferred to Demelza Hospice, near Sittingbourne, where she spent her final hours.

Her parents Bianca and Jack, from Canterbury, were able to spend precious moments with Florence – who was born with congenital defects and developed a critically narrow airway – in Demelza’s Hop Garden bereavement suite.

The family now want to raise money for Evelina, Demelza and the Ronald Mcdonald charity.

Florence’s auntie, Jasmine Brockman, is organising an action-packed day on Sunday, June 18, starting at 10am at Chartham village hall and the adjacent memorial field. It will include a football match, pony rides, bouncy castle and games.

Jasmine, who lives off Sturry Road, said: “We already have lots of stallholders and businesses coming to offer their services, which should make for an extremely fun-packed family day to raise money for these three well-deserving charities to say thank you from Florence and all of us.

“The original plan was to raise a few hundred pounds – now it’s looking like it could be much more, which is just brilliant.”

To donate items for the raffle and tombola or to get involved call Jasmine on 07525 761816. To make a donation visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/jackBrockman24?utm_id=13

‘The original plan was to raise a few hundred pounds – now it could be much more, which is brilliant’

Florence with her aunty Jasmine Brockman during her final hours at Demelza House