Drayton gala night raises more than �5k for charity

The mother of a tragic baby who was just 15 days old when she died from a rare liver condition has issued a heartfelt thank you to those who supported a charity event in her memory.

Alice Rowlands was born six weeks early and with a rare liver condition, neonatal hemochromatosis, at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital in September 2007.

After just five days she was moved to King's College Hospital in London, miles from her Spixworth home, where she later died.

Since her death her parents Miranda and Paul set up the Alice Rowlands Memorial Society (ARMS) to raise money for the Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) which provides accommodation for families whose loved ones are in hospital miles from home.

More than 100 attended a third annual gala evening organised by the couple at Drayton Old Lodge, Drayton, last month which raised more than �5,000 for RMHC.

Mrs Rowlands, 38, who lives in Chestnut Avenue, Spixworth, with her husband and Son Sam, 10, said: 'In total we raised �5,400 from the evening which has now come up to �5,500 which is fantastic - especially when money is tight for everyone. I think that's a really great total.

'We would like to say a big thank you for supporting us on the night. We couldn't have done it without them. It's amazing. It's very moving for us and means a lot to us that people would come out and support the charity in that way.'

Since 2007 the Rowlands' have raised more than �48,000 and hope to reach �50,000 by Christmas.

A spokesman for RMHC said: 'The commitment and dedication that the Rowlands' have shown since losing their baby daughter knows no bounds. Having first-hand experience of the vital support we provide for families with sick children every night of the year makes them fantastic ambassadors, and we feel truly fortunate to have such passionate and warm people helping to raise not only funds, but also awareness, of the charity.'