CHEPSTOW-born couple, Kirsty and Patrick Thompson have vowed to always mark the birthday of their late daughter, Lacey- Esme – who was born with Down’s Syndrome on July 26, 2009, and died just ten days later – with a celebration rather than sorrow.

This year, the couple are holding a fancy dress jelly welly walk over the Severn Bridge on July 24, starting at 12pm, to raise funds for the London hospital that cared for her.

Mrs Thompson, 26, a former pupil at Chepstow School, met her husband – who attended Wyedean School – when she was 16.

After getting married in their early twenties and moving to Kent, Mrs Thompson became pregnant.

She said: “Unfortunately, I had a traumatic labour. We didn’t know there was anything wrong at first, but the nurses began suspecting something wasn’t right.

“She had quite a few tests done and we were told that she had Down’s Syndrome.

Lacey-Esme was also diagnosed with a hole in the heart and a reversed stomach and transferred to the Royal London Hospital. Her conditioned deteriorated and she died on August 5.

Her funeral was held at St Mary’s Church in Chepstow.

Mr and Mrs Thompson, who now live in Hampshire and have a healthy ten-monthold son, Jaiden, say Lacey- Esme will always remain part of their lives.

“This year, we are holding a fancy dress/jelly welly walk over the Severn Bridge, which I think she would have found very amusing and great fun,”

said Mrs Thompson.

A jelly welly walk is a walk in jelly-filled wellingtons.

For more information visit www.justgiving.com/ lacey-esme-thompson