A MUM whose premature baby passed away when she was less than three months old is asking for help to make comfort toys.

Stacey Martin, from Belmont, Hereford, gave birth to Indie Evelina on September 2, 2013, at 29 weeks gestation weighing 2lb 5oz.

She defied the odds and following care at Hereford County Hospital, Gloucester Royal Hospital and St. Michaels Hospital in Bristol she was allowed home on October 17.

Indie was gaining weight but sadly she passed away on November 22, 2013 from Sudden Unexpected Death in an Infant.

Stacey, now 29, then made the decision to set up Indie's Gift to supply parents with babies in special care across the UK with Parent Support Packs.

She said: "I love doing it, the main aim is to have everyone supported if they need it and want it.

"What I went through was horrific and not made any better by the lack of support at other hospitals; while she was alive.

"Hereford Special Care Baby Unit was absolutely incredible though. I cannot praise them highly enough, even after her death I was welcomed with open arms and still visit regularly with treats and things."

Their latest campaign is to get the public's help to make crochet or knitted octopus cuddle toys for neonatal units across the UK.

Stacey, who has two other children called Isla, 10, and Finn, eight, said: "They're great because the tentacles are like the umbilical cord so the baby feels comfort from holding onto it. And they're really cute."

The charity has sent 9,100 support packs in three years and hope to have sent a further 6,000 by the end of the year.

The support packs include toiletries, food, a sweet treat, bonding squares, notepad and pen, colouring sheets and pencils, a card from Indie's Gift and a map of the hospital/local area.

The charity now has nine ambassadors across the country.

If you could make an octopus cuddle toy, deliver or post them to C/O MILES AUTOMOTIVE, The Bird Garage, Whitmore Cross, Tillington, Hereford, HR4 8LE. Patterns are available on the Facebook page- facebook.com/indiesgift