THE parents of a baby girl who died after suffocating on a toy in her cot are organising a sponsored walk to raise money for research into cot death.

Rebecca Barrett, 20, and her partner Darren Marlborough, 28, were devastated when two-and-a-half-month-old Lily was found dead in her cot by a friend.

It appeared Lily suffocated on a little blanket attached to a toy which was left in her bed.

Rebecca said: "Darren fed her at 10pm and then winded her. He put her back to bed with her toy rabbit and she never woke up.

"We let our friend in in the morning and went back to bed because we were tired. She went in to check on Lily and then we heard a scream. Darren went in and picked her up and put her down because she wasn't breathing."

Rebecca dialled 999 and tried in vain to resuscitate baby Lily following the operator's instructions.

She added: "The bunny had a small blanket which suffocated Lily.

"I don't want anyone to go through what we have. My message to everyone is to put your baby in a sleeping bag and don't put any toys in their bed. It is important to try and ensure your baby sleeps on its back too."

Rebecca and Darren are aiming to raise £5,000 for the Foundation for Study into Infant Death by walking from the clock tower in Herne Bay to the one in Margate.

Rebecca, from Ramsgate, expects a hundred people to take part in the 15-mile walk at 10am on Saturday, May 15.

There is also a sponsored head shave and body wax at 6pm on Sunday, May 23 at the Four Fathoms pub in Herne Bay.

There will be a raffle with prizes supplied by Fusions, Orange Tree, The Discount Shop, The Studio, Present Solutions, Kids Corner, Nut Cutters, Morecutts, The Crystal Shop, Polish, Earth Angles and Obsessions.

To take part in the sponsored walk or head shave contact Rebecca Barrett on 07770 522092.