AS they mourn the death of their first baby a couple from Stourport are organising a charity football match to raise cash for the neonatal unit of the hospital where their beloved daughter spent her short life.

Laura and Jamie Cook, of Lodge Cottages, Stourport, say the game in memory of their late daughter, Olivia, is an important part of their grieving process and a way of thanking staff at Worcestershire Royal Hospital for their help in looking after her.

Mrs Cook said the care and support her family received at the neonatal unit enabled them to treasure moments with Olivia, who died two days after being born eight weeks premature, in June, with complications including the chromosomal defect, Edwards Syndrome.

A team of family and friends, including builder, Mr Cook, will join Stourport Swift players in the match against the Wolves Allstars team which comprises former professional players from Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Proceeds from the event, which kicks off at 3pm on Sunday, October 3 at Walshes Meadow, will be donated to the neonatal unit at Worcestershire Royal Hospital and the bereavement charity, Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Society.

"I've organised the match to help the staff and it is part of the process of grieving for our daughter to do something positive," said 27-year-old Mrs Cook, a midwife at Worcestershire Royal Hospital, who trained at Kidderminster Hospital.

"With all the negative stuff about Kidderminster Hospital, I was supported by Kidderminster midwives as well as Worcester ones and I just want to thank all the staff for their support.

"They just supported us completely so we could just spend time with Olivia during these two days - it was only a short time really but it made such a big difference."

Mrs Cook said she had organised the event with her best friend from Stourport High School, Helen Webb, whose boyfriend, Kerry Giddings, plays for Stourport Swifts.

"Basically, it's just a game of football and we're also doing a raffle where local business have donated prizes," she said, adding prizes donated so far included footballs signed by Kidderminster Harriers and Wolverhampton Wanderers players.

"It's something positive for us to focus on," she added.

"We want to raise as much money as possible because equipment for the neo-natal unit is more expensive than anything else.

"They're trying to make one of the rooms in the unit more homely for babies that are poorly, so we would like to help that."

Anyone interested in supporting the event should contact 01299 829169.