Bristol woman wants tribute to grand-daughter

Losing your grand-daughter at just four-weeks-old to cot death would be traumatic enough for anyone.

But imagine having lost your mother-in-law the day before, your grandfather three months before that, and having a cyst that nearly killed you.

Tracey Griffiths and her family have had a painful year by anyone's standards.

But this weekend the 38-year-old from Hartcliffe is hoping to find some cheer during a period of seemingly relentless tragedy.

She has organised a sponsored walk tomorrow to help raise money for her late granddaughter Demi-Leigh's headstone.

The four-week-old's grave is at South Bristol Crematorium, but the family need to raise £3,000 for a fitting tribute to her short life.

Ms Griffiths and her partner David Barter were working as building cleaners at the time of their tragedies, but after taking time off for funerals found the work had dried up.

But she has already raised several hundred pounds taking part in the Race For Life and is hoping to add to that this weekend.

Up to 50 people have pledged to take part in the walk already, which starts tomorrow at 2 Lasbury Grove, Hartcliffe, at midday.

Ms Griffiths will be joined by friends and family in the five-mile walk to Keynsham, and there will be collection buckets along the way..

Some participants will be dressed as cartoon characters and other fancy dress, while more will be wearing T-shirts with Demi's picture on that her grandmother has had specially printed.

Ms Griffiths said: "It started when my grandad was diagnosed with cancer, and four days later my mother-in-law was diagnosed with cancer as well, they were both on the same ward at the BRI. My grandad passed away last June.

"I had an ectopic pregnancy in August and could have died that weekend because it ruptured.

"Demi was born two days after so they had me on the loud speaker to my daughter because they wanted me with her but I could barely walk.

"Demi died on September 24 last year, my daughter was living with me at the time and called me at 4am.

"She said 'mum, she's not breathing' and I tried my hardest while she called an ambulance but Demi was pronounced dead at 4.45am.

"I'm always at the grave. It's really sad at the crematorium but I like it all bright, I've always got flowers and I don't like it being empty."