THE family and friends of a mother-to-be who died suddenly losing her unborn baby are supporting a football match this weekend which will raise cash for bereaved parents.

Lucy Copland collapsed at her home in Malton in October. Despite the efforts of ambulance crews and hospital staff Lucy, 28, and her baby son, Seth, who was due at the end of November, died.

On Sunday, a charity football match will raise funds to support parents who have lost children, in memory of Lucy and Seth.

Lucy’s sister Becci Woollard said they were delighted when organisers Paul Holder and James Milsom, contacted the family. “We felt it was a lovely thought and suggested the charity 4Louis, which provides memory boxes for parents, who had lost a child at birth,” she said. “Lucy was so well known after working at the Skipton Building Society in Malton for nine years and we were really touched that they wanted to do something.”

Becci, who lives in Norton with her husband, Darren and children Grace, three and Charlie, four months, said: “The night she died was horrendous. Lucy and her partner, Jamie, had been to our house and they had only been home half an hour when the phone went. It was Jamie and I couldn’t understand at first what he was saying, but he told us we needed to get to Scarborough Hospital as soon as possible.”

Becci said nothing had felt real. “Lucy had been fit and healthy and enjoying a normal pregnancy,” she said. “She had been due to start maternity leave and was so looking forward to becoming a mum.

“We are all struggling to come to terms with what has happened and I still think she is going to walk through the door. Lucy was such a character that you notice it even more that she is not around. I really, really miss her.”

Becci said the family had mixed emotions about Christmas. “It is going to be difficult, but I do know Lucy would not want us to mope about,” she said. “Lucy loved Christmas and particularly shopping, she had the knack for finding the perfect gift and had bought all her presents knowing she would be busy with the baby.

“We were all looking forward to this Christmas surrounded by children and it is going to be very different now.”

Becci said they were all grateful to all the support they had received from people.

“Everyone had been absolutely amazing including all the staff at Scarborough Hospital and the ambulance crew. They did everything they could to save Lucy and Seth and we want to thank them for that,” she added.

“We also want something positive to come from this which is why we are so pleased the football match is supporting 4Louis and we will be looking at organising other events next year.

“Everyone has been very generous donating raffle prizes and we would also like to thank them as well as Ashley Cook Carpets for sponsoring the day. We hope lots of people will support the event and remember Lucy and Seth.”

Organiser Paul, also known as Perm, said they match had been held for the last seven years.

“I knew Lucy when she worked at the Skipton Building Society and she was such a lovely lady,” he added.

“When we heard what had happened we were really touched and wanted to do something to help her family. “ The Perm Cup will be held at Old Malton Football Club on Sunday, December 28 with kick-off at 1pm, followed by refreshments, a charity raffle and live music at the Royal Oak in Market Place, Malton.