A heartbroken mum has told how her one-year-old baby died in her sleep after she gave her a "big cuddle".
Poppy Neighbour, who was 21 months old, lost her life suddenly as a result of Peliosis Hepatis — a liver disorder which is incredibly rare in children.
"She wasn’t sick, she was just a small baby," said devastated mum Rachel.
"She went to bed as normal, she had a little tummy bug but that was it. She gave me a big cuddle and she just passed away in her sleep."
Plymouth Live reports how Rachel, who has two other kids, has been campaigning to raise awareness of Peliosis Hepatis since Poppy's death in February.
Poppy's Garden has been created in West Hoe Park, Plymouth, as part of St Luke's Elmer Big Parade, an charity event.
The bright coloured elephant along the trail is privately sponsored to highlight tragic Poppy's story.
Rachel, of Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, said: "She was one of only five children in the world to have it [Peliosis Hepatis] and two of them were on a list for a transplant. Poppy had never had any liver problems, so we’ve been left without an explanation — she didn’t have a temperature, there was nothing to indicate anything was wrong. I’m just glad she was asleep, that’s the only thing we can hold on to."
Rachel’s Aunty Vicky Greig, who read about the sponsorship opportunity, said: "We thought it would be a unique way of remembering Poppy.
"It was something for us to focus on and include all the family in. The fact that we were able to name it and that we are the only private sponsor just made it even more special."
Vicky has a close connection to St Luke’s, whose nurses cared for her husband Rob and helped him to pass away peacefully at his home, as per his wishes, following a diagnosis of Non—Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in 2007.
Poppy’s Garden joins 39 other sponsored elephant statues around the city painted by talented artists near and far and aimed at raising awareness and funds for St Luke’s and the vital service the charity provides — looking after terminally ill patients and supporting their families when time is running short.
Rachel continued: "It’s been so lovely to see how happy people are to see the Elmer and they’ve been telling their friends to visit.
"Poppy was a very happy girl and we wanted to spread that happiness. She was so happy and so full of life, always running around and playing."
"Poppy loved being in the garden.
Poppy’s Garden was brought to life by artist Yvonne Coomber — her dreamy seascapes, tangled meadowlands and magical forests are held in private and public collections worldwide.
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