A BROMSGROVE charity, set up in memory of a two-week-old baby who died in hospital, has raised more than £50,000 within a year.

Libby Mae Sharratt was born in April 2013 at Birmingham Women’s Hospital but immediately experienced difficulty with her breathing and tests revealed she had a heart condition.

Further tests later showed the vein from her heart to her left lung had not developed, and doctors told Libby's parents, Charlotte and Richard, nothing could be done to save her.

After her death on May 9, the parents, from Catshill, wanted to give something back to the hospital and asked for donations instead of flowers at her funeral.

The overwhelming response resulted in them setting up Libby Mae’s Little Angels.

The charity’s aim is to raise money to support the Neo-Natal Unit at Birmingham Women’s Hospital and to help provide resources to other Midlands based units.

Within months it became a registered charity and through various successful fundraisers - including quiz nights, charity football matches and gaining donations from businesses - more than £50,000 has been raised.

This Friday, April 25, to celebrate the success of the charity, Wear it Pink for Libby Day has been organised.

The major fundraising event is gaining significant support with various nurseries, schools and other groups taking part.

Businesses have signed up, including Nando's restaurants across the Midlands, while the charity's ambassador Birmingham City Football Club player Chris Burke has ensured his teammates are getting involved.

Individuals supporting the initiative include Free Radio presenters Jo and Sparky and the Lord Mayor of Birmingham.

Birmingham Library is also being lit up in pink for the day.

Richard and Charlotte said they hoped it would take the charity to the next level.

“We want to continue raising awareness and money to save the lives of even more babies in our region.

“We are so excited and proud of what, as grieving parents, we have achieved, and would love to be able to tell everyone about our work."

To mark what would have been Libby Mae's first birthday this Saturday, April 26, a £35,000 cheque is being presented to Birmingham Women’s Hospital.

The money is being used to buy a ventilator, a piece of equipment that kept Libby Mae alive for two weeks, as well as contributing towards a new transport incubator that the Neonatal Transport department are in desperate need of.

Richard and Charlotte added: "We are just a normal couple who, out of tragic circumstances, have created an amazing legacy for our late daughter and a charity that will help to save other babies.”

For more details about the charity and its upcoming fundraisers visit libbymaeslittleangels.com, or Facebook page Libby Mae's Little Angels.