The parents of a 20-week-old baby who died of a heart defect are setting up a charity in his name.

John Bacon and Pamela Adlington pledge to supply hospitals with life-saving heart equipment for children if they gain charity status for the Remembering Jonathon Foundation.

The couple, of Eastwood, were left devastated following Jonathon's death of a congenative heart defect (CHD) at Southend Hospital last July.

Charity pledge - John Bacon and Pamela Adlington, holding a picture of their son, Jonathon who died last year, are setting up a charity in his name Picture: TERENCE BUNCH

They set up the foundation on February 22 to mark his first birthday and have since gained worldwide support for the cause.

Mr Bacon, 31, said: "We founded the foundation after Jonathon died because we didn't know where to turn. There isn't a great deal of support for bereaved parents through CHD or general child bereavement. So we started our own support groups on the internet and now we have users all over the world who we can chat to."

The couple, who live in Belgrave Road with Pamela's six-year-old daughter Charlotte, have applied for charity status for the organisation.

They meet the requirements laid down by the Charity Commission but need £1,000 to register.

Mr Bacon said: "We have held a few quiz nights and a balloon release to raise funds - my mother-in-law Rita is even knitting baby blankets to sell! We have also had a great deal of support from local shops who are putting up our posters.

"If we can get charity status, we want to continue to improve our support for bereaved parents. Hopefully, we will slowly build up enough funds to supply and maintain heart equipment for children and babies in local hospitals."

An evening of curry and fun is being held to raise funds for the foundation. For £12 tickets call 01702 420561.

Published Friday, June 6, 2003

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