THOUSANDS of babies and their mums are set to benefit from money raised in memory of a mother to be who died at Ipswich Hospital.Michelle Bore was just 23 when she died along with her unborn baby Katie Louise in the maternity ward of the Heath Road site.

THOUSANDS of babies and their mums are set to benefit from money raised in memory of a mother to be who died at Ipswich Hospital.

Michelle Bore was just 23 when she died along with her unborn baby Katie Louise in the maternity ward of the Heath Road site.

The Evening Star started a fund to raise money for a lasting legacy in her name and around £3,000 was collected.

Now, two years on and after a lot of hard work and fundraising by her loving family, the money has bought an electric blood pressure machine, two sets of baby scales and a monitor to listen to an unborn baby's heartbeat. A plaque has also been placed in the maternity ward in her memory.

It has been a difficult two years for all her family and her mum Janet Stamper from Ipswich said she is incredibly proud of what has been achieved.

She said: "Some of my friends have been on the ward and seen the plaque and it makes me feel so proud that we have been able to put something back."

Ms Stamper added: "They have done really well at the hospital. They knew that she (Michelle) loved kids and they have taken that into consideration with equipment for before the baby is born and they have thought of the mother as well.

"I know that Michelle is looking down and smiling now."

Her dad, Richard Bore from Kesgrave said: "I would like to thank everyone who contributed, especially the dock company and Medite, it was excellent.

"Michelle would have loved it, she loved children.

"There is not a day goes by when I don't think about her."

He also praised the hospital and Chris Colbourn who is head of maternity. He said: "Chris Colbourn has been absolutely brilliant.

"If ever we have ever felt we needed to talk to someone we have been able to talk to her."

A huge amount of effort went into the fundraising to collect the money.

The father of Michelle's baby, Rodney Sewell organised a charity night raising £857.

Evening Star readers raised £350 and £250 was given by the Port of Felixstowe where her father Richard and brother Martyn work.

Around £800 was collected by staff at Medite Shipping where Ms Stamper works and a further £300 was donated from other sources.

It is two years on September 13 since Michelle died from septicaemia and peritonitis.

She had loved children and was over the moon when she became pregnant.

Her death at 34 weeks into her pregnancy rocked her whole family and came as a devastating blow to staff on the maternity ward at Ipswich Hospital.

Chris Colbourn, head of the maternity ward said that they were overwhelmed by the donation to buy the equipment.

She said: "For the family to want to support the ongoing work of the department at a time of such sorrow and tragedy in their lives I find overwhelming.

"I want to thank all the readers and all those other people and thank the family for their support.

"It is a tribute to Michelle that we have now been able to buy this valuable equipment that will help thousands of babies and mothers."

n. What do you think of Michelle's legacy? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or email eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk