A FAMILY who lost their baby boy to a heart condition are inviting the public to walk and raise money for a children’s hospice.

Gemma Croucher said she is “forever grateful” for the time her family had at Chestnut Tree House Children’s Hospice to say goodbye to her son Finlay, who was just three weeks and three days old when he died.

Gemma, who lives in Shoreham with her husband Kevin and their two daughters Fearne and Ivy, said they did not know Finlay had any health problems until after he was born on January 26, 2012.

She said: “At only one day old he had a scan and was rushed to London so they could assess him.

“Finlay’s condition deteriorated so he had surgery very quickly – they wanted to wait to operate but his organs were shutting down so quickly they had no choice.

“The surgery was successful but his recovery was uncertain.

“He fought for longer than the doctors thought possible.”

After Finlay died, Gemma said she and her family were not ready to say goodbye.

They were directed to Chestnut Tree House Children’s Hospice in Angmering, which provides palliative care to children with life shortening conditions and bereavement support to families.

Gemma said: “At the time I was scared as I was expecting it to be like another hospital, but it wasn’t at all.

“The hospice was bright and colourful and there were lots of lovely smiley faces.

“Being there with Finlay was so precious for us as it meant we could say goodbye in our own time.

“We are so grateful and always will be.”

The Croucher family visit the hospice every year on Finlay’s birthday and take presents to the children, as well as attending the summer and winter remembrance services.

Gemma said: “Some people may not understand why we go back every year but it’s a real comfort.

“We feel close to Finlay whilst we are there so of course we are going to go and visit. We will carry on doing that for ever.”

Tomorrow, Gemma and Kevin will walk a mile in Finlay’s memory with seven-year-old Fearne and three-year-old Ivy, and they are inviting others to support them by doing a walk and making a donation for Chestnut Tree House.

Gemma said: “Finlay has a tree at Clayton Woods in Hassocks so we are going to go for our daily exercise to see his tree and walk around the beautiful woodlands.

“We would love it if people could join us in spirit, walk around their area and post a photo in our Facebook event group.

“Chestnut Tree House needs our support now more than ever. I don’t know where we’d be without them or their support over the years. I will be forever grateful.”

To support Gemma’s Mile in Memory of Finlay, go to justgiving.com/fundraising/gemma-croucher3.

To share a photo of your walk, visit the Walk a Mile in Memory of Finlay Joseph Croucher page on facebook.com.