The brief but inspirational life of a child born at Dorset County Hospital continues to be remembered by the fundraising efforts of her parents.

Daisy was born at the hospital in January 2021, much to the delight of parents Katie and Graham Smith from Poundwell. However, it quickly became apparent that Daisy had serious medical conditions and as well as being diagnosed with eyesight and hearing loss she had a range of problems with her feeding and development.

Daisy's health fluctuated over the course of her short life and she spent a lot of time being cared for on the hospital's Kingfisher Ward.

Eventually, in October 2021, Daisy passed away on the ward, surrounded by her family.

Katie said: "When we received Daisy's diagnosis in June 2021, we took the decision to make every moment count.

"We began fundraising in September 2021, aiming to cover the distance between our home in Dorset and some of Daisy's grandparents in Newcastle.

"The plan was for Daisy to travel all 764 miles with us, by foot or by bike. Sadly she passed away during the challenge, but we decided to complete the miles in her memory."

Other fundraisers joined in – for example a friend's five-year-old daughter, Saffie, walked five miles raising money along the way.

Another friend, Carole, raised more than £500 when she swam the equivalent of an English Channel crossing at a pool in Dorchester.

£5,500 was raised and donated to the hospital and part of it has been spent on a commission with artist Lorna Gibson who has produced a picture she has called 'Bedtime Stories' which is displayed on Kingfisher ward.

Katie added: "We had come across Lorna when Daisy was alive and Graham read her beautiful book 'Love Never Dies' at Daisy's funeral. It was therefore a really easy decision to ask Lorna to create 'Bedtime Stories' which we hope will provide huge comfort to children and families during their time on the Kingfisher Ward."

Lorna said: "It was such an honour to be asked to do this illustration in memory of Daisy."

Katie and Graham have continued to fundraise and as well as the original donation further money has been raised for play equipment for Kingfisher Ward and for the Children's Centre at the hospital  where Daisy received physiotherapy and occupational therapy.