AN Alvecurch man is organising a charity auction and raffle to raise money for a charity for bereaved parents.

Richard Atkinson lost his own daughter Ava at the end of May, only hours after she was born prematurely, and he and his wife have set up the charity babyAvaandthelittleangels to help other bereaved parents.

The night, which is taking place on Friday, October 3, will feature hot food and a disco, with loads of items being auction, including signed Wayne Rooney and Paul Gascoigne England football shirts, several other football shirts, a boxing glove signed by Nigel Benn, and memorabilia from the Henry Cooper vs Mohammed Ali fight as well as personal training sessions, Thai meals and hair and beauty vouchers.

In the difficult time after his daughter’s death, Mr Atkinson and his wife Adele were given a keepsake box, which he says helped them to come to terms with what had happened, and now he wants to help others in similar situations.

He said: “Whilst myself and my wife were coming to terms with this devastating news the hospital gave us a keepsake box to have physical memories of our daughter. This box contains a hand and foot plaster cast with frame, two identical teddies one for ‘Ava’ and the other for us, there was also a angel candle where we can light every year on Ava’s birthday. An inkless wipe kit for her hand and foot prints, a curl box for some of her hair, a disposable camera, and forget me not seeds. There were also numerous small bags for us to keep her hospital band and all her personal belongings and clothing in. There were many poems as well.

“This box brought not only great comfort to us as parents, but also our family as we are now able to have something that we can remember our daughter by and able to show our young son physical items and not just our memories.

“Unfortunately the charity no longer makes these boxes, so we have decided to raise money so we are able to make these boxes ourselves and be able to know that we have helped to bring some sort of comfort to many parents and families that have had to experience such a tragic time.”

Tickets for the charity auction are £5 for adults which includes hot food and a disco. They can be purchased by calling Mr Atkinson on 07703 826931 or writing ricoulson@hotmail.co.uk.