Football fans walk in memory of baby
Hundreds of pounds have been collected in the baby girl's memory
- Published
A group of football fans have walked to their club's latest match to raise money in memory of a baby girl.
Rosie was born prematurely at King's Mill Hospital in Sutton-in Ashfield, Nottinghamshire, in February, and only lived for 30 days after suffering renal failure.
Her parents Ryan and Leanne have been raising money for the units that cared for Rosie during her short life.
Ryan works as a sports therapist at Ilkeston Town and supporters of the football club have joined their fundraising efforts.
Ryan and Leanne have raised more than £11k in their daughter's memory
About 20 fans walked eight miles (12.8km) from Ilkeston's ground to Basford United's ground before Monday's match.
They collected hundreds of pounds in the lead up to the walk and on the day.
"The Ilkeston fans have been absolutely brilliant. They have been so supportive to Ryan and me since we lost Rosie," Leanne said.
"They have made us feel like part of the club family and helped us through a really difficult time.
"I can't thank them enough for doing this walk."
Celebrations at Ilkeston Town FC
Ian Deakin, first team manager at Ilkeston Town, said: "I can't even begin to imagine what they've gone through, but they've been always smiling.
"They've come together as a couple and helped each other and we have too as a football club, we're one big family here. They really are fantastic people."
The couple, from Kirkby-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire, have raised more than £11,300 since their daughter died.
The money has been used to buy 500 comforters for babies in intensive care, for Nottingham's two neonatal intensive care units.
The couple are now fund-raising for 12 specialist covers for incubator cots.
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- Published7 May
