Baby stars in global Down's syndrome campaign

Effie's image was one of 500 chosen to light up New York's Times Square

A picture of a newborn baby girl from Cleethorpes has been displayed in Times Square in New York as part of a Down's syndrome awareness campaign.

Effie, who was born in March, was one of 500 people living with the condition chosen by the US National Down Syndrome Society.

The image, taken by Cleethorpes photographer Sarah Foster, was taken when Effie was just a few weeks old, and was displayed in Times Square on Saturday.

Effie's mum, Lauren, 30, said the event was a "once in a lifetime opportunity" and "something for Effie to look back on when she's older".

Though the family could not be in New York for the event, they watched it on a livestream together with loved ones.

Lauren said the family had been "blown away" by the positive response to the campaign, which she described as "heartwarming".

The original photo of Effie that was chosen to be part of the campaign

Lauren gave birth to Effie at Diana, Princess of Wales Hospital in Grimsby, where she and her partner Jordan discovered she had been born with the condition.

They became members of the Down's syndrome community online, connecting with fellow parents.

Lauren said: "The community has been so supportive and it's been incredible really. It's been a privilege to be part of it and it's given us a complete different outlook on life.

"It helps you celebrate the small things, to slow down and realise things you didn't realise before. We've become more positive, more inclusive, and we're appreciating all the beauty there is in the world."

Describing Effie as a "very, very good baby", Lauren said: "She is so contented, so loving, so cuddly – and she has everyone around her little finger!

"She is just amazing, and we are so privileged to be her parents."

Effie with parents Lauren and Jordan

Ms Foster said she was "so proud to have my photo of Effie displayed in Times Square" and was "so happy for the family".

She said it was "a huge honour to capture Effie as a newborn and be a part of this journey".

National Down Syndrome Society said the annual campaign was designed to "remind the world in a big way about the value that people with Down syndrome bring to their communities".

The organisation said it "tries to choose as many new faces as possible each year to highlight the diversity and beauty of our community".

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