A WORCESTER family turned tears to smiles when they handed over £2,700 to a children's hospice.

Sadie and Guy Lewis organised a sponsored walk across the Malvern Hills to raise cash for Acorns Children's Hospice in memory of their baby son.

Five-month-old twin Fraser died four days before Christmas, last year, after suffering severe brain damage and almost constant epileptic fits.

The family's devastation was eased by care and support received from the hospice, which is planning to build a 10-bed respite unit in Worcester.

They scheduled the walk to mark surviving twin Hayden's, and what would have been Fraser's, first birthday.

"We wanted it to be a positive day," said Mrs Lewis, of Warndon Villages.

"Obviously, we found parts of the day very difficult - we went up to the cemetery in the morning and stood by Fraser's memorial tree and hung ribbons on it to mark his birthday.

"But we had lots of family and friends round us for the walk, which we did in beautiful sunshine.

"This year, it was Fraser's and Hayden's birthdays. Next year, we will have put some of the hurt behind us and it will be Hayden's.

"We wanted it to be a day that we could tell him about."

She paid tribute to Acorns' staff who, she says, continue to help her through her darkest days.

"A couple of months after Fraser died, I was rushed to hospital with meningitis, which was very traumatic for the family," she added.

"Acorns were there for us all.

"Even now, when I'm out shopping and feeling down, to have Acorns offices there so I can pop in and have a cup of coffee and a chat is wonderful.

"If it hadn't been for them, I don't think I would be here now.

"The energy I had for Fraser I'm now putting into helping Acorns, and it's really helping me."

The couple's four-year-old-daughter Corah helped hand over a giant cheque to Mike Cartledge of Acorns at the family home.

"It was a wonderful moment," said Mr Cartledge.

"And so lovely to see this family's tears turned to smiles."