Warwick church community rallies round to help give "amazing" baby Evanae the best possible send-off

Evanae was born on February 10 at University Hospital Coventry & Warwickshire with Down's Syndrome and an atrioventricular septal defect (AVSD).

Because of the former her mother was given the option of an abortion three times during the pregnancy.

It was the latter which caused Evanae, which means 'young fighter', to have to have four open-heart surgeries, which she fought through bravely.

But it was not enough to save her and she passed away aged just six-and-a-half months old due to heart failure caused by an infection at Birmingham Children's Hospital on August 22.

Because of Coronavirus and having to spend most of her life in hospital only Katy, Evanae's mum, was able to stay with her daughter and help care for her for the entire time.

Her other family members including her brother Ty, 22, and sister Marli-Mae, 12, were limited to just a few visits between them.

Katy said: "People miss her but I feel as if I was the only one who really got to know her and now it's like I'm grieving on my own.

Evanae is given a bath by her parents Jay and Katy.

"I would call her ferret and twinkle toes, she was very mischevious and had a lovely smile.

"She was just amazing.

"She really was a fighter."

Members of the New Life church, in Friars Street, have launched a fundraising campaign to support the family at this most difficult of times.

The money will go towards Evanae's funeral and a holiday for Katy and her children to give them some relief.

Pastor Linz Alexander, who launced the campaign and supported Katy through the ordeal, has said: " Our hope is to help Katy by raising funds to help pay for the funeral and have that little extra to provide for a break for the family in order to get some rest and have some healing time.

"I know Katy and the family, have a special place in the hearts of those from the wider community and it’s times like these where we all want to show our love and support and get behind them but often, we don’t know how.

"So, Katy and family this is for you because we genuinely care and feel for your loss."

Evanae will have a rainbow and unicorn-themed funeral at Canley Crematorium in Coventry soon.

High dependency unit (HDU) nurse Kelly Boater, of Birmingham Children's Hospital, will speak in tribute of Evanae at the service.

Katy said: "She's going to get the very best send-off, which she deserves."

To make a donation to the fundraising campaign click here