BORN three months prematurely and weighing just 500g - around 1lb - little Seren Olivia Witcombe tragically lost her battle for life aged just seven months.

The youngster spent the whole of her short life in hospital fighting for life with the hope that she could be taken to her home in Graigview Terrace, Talywain.

But on July 29, parents Sian Evans, 32, and Daley Witcombe, 31, had to say a heartbroken goodbye as their "beautiful" firstborn was taken away from them.

But with good friends at their side, the couple will now see their daughter’s memory kept alive as a number of fundraising events have been organised in aid of the neonatal unit at the Royal Gwent Hospital which cared for Seren during the final months of her life.

Seren was born on December 27 last year, three months earlier than her due date which was March 18.

Weighing just 500g, the newborn was delivered at and spent the first three months of her life in hospital in Southampton as Ms Evans, who suffers from cardiac problems, has consultants based there.

She was then transferred to the Royal Gwent Hospital in Newport where she continued battling for her life but sadly lost her fight last month. Seren only weighed 10lb at the time of her death.

Ms Evans said: "Her lungs just never grew with her body. She was a beautiful baby. She spent the whole seven months putting up a good fight. We will always treasure the time we had with her."

Now friends of the family including sisters Joanne and Jenna Powell and Kirsty Bassett have organised events in memory of Seren.

This includes a sponsored walk from Blaenavon’s Big Pit to Pontypool Park on August 25, starting at 10am which is open to people of all ages.

On August 30, a teddy bear’s picnic will be held at The Log Cabin, Penygarn, from 1pm until 3pm. For each party attending the price is £2 for the first child and £1.50 for each child after that.

September 1 will then see a coffee morning and raffle held at the Millennium Hall, Garndiffaith, from 11am until 1pm.

Joanne Powell said: "We wanted to do something in memory of Seren."

Ms Evans said: "It’s so lovely that my friends are doing this. If it gives another baby like Seren a chance then it’s definitely worth it."

For more information on the events contact Ms Powell at JoanneSPowell@hotmail.com or on 07870469188.

The Royal Gwent Hospital's special care baby unit treated 414 newborns last year, providing highly specialist intensive care for babies born premature or which become very unwell.

The Nevill Hall unit in Abergavenny looked after a further 239.

With two nurses required around the clock to care for each baby, the units are expensive to run, said a spokesman for the Aneurin Bevan Health Board.

"As with any intensive care environment these units are very costly to run, so any fundraising is particularly welcome," he added.