MUM Caroline Northcott urged people to back a children's heart group today after a special assembly was held in memory of her daughter who died after collapsing at a school.

Naomi Northcott, who was just seven, was taken ill in front of friends in the playground at Manor Park First School.

Staff and pupils raised £3,501 from a sponsored skip in her memory for the British Heart Foundation, Dorset Ambulance and the Dorset County Hospital's casualty department.

The money was presented at an assembly at the Mellstock Avenue, Dorchester, school.

Now Miss Northcott, 27, of Holbaek Close, Dorchester, is urging people to back the heart foundation and Wessex Heartbeat, which helped her daughter at Southampton Hospital.

She said: "It only really hit home at the assembly. It was the first time I had been back to the school since the day Naomi collapsed.

"I would like to thank everyone who took part and supported the sponsored skip. I was overwhelmed by the amount of money they raised."

Naomi, who was born with holes in her heart and faulty valves, was taken ill in the playground at the school in early April after problems with her pacemaker.

Staff gave first aid and tried to revive her before ambulance crews arrived and rushed her to the Dorset County Hospital where she later died.

The money was donated to those who helped Naomi fight for life as well as the British Heart Foundation, in order to help others in the same situation.

Now hairdresser Miss Northcott is hoping more money will be raised for the Wessex Heartbeat group, which helps children with heart problems at the hospital.

Naomi, who was an only child, was treated there in the cardiac ward, which is raising money for a new intensive care unit.

Her father Leon Slade, 28, who works for Sean Hearn Roofing, and friends may launch the fundraising effort with a head shave.

A stone bearing Naomi's name has been placed in the butterfly garden at Manor Park First School.

Miss Northcott, who works for Chris's Hairdressers in Icen Way, Dorchester, said: "Naomi would always be singing and dancing around.

"She was very ill, but she was a fighter. Everybody has been brilliant and has rallied around. Naomi would be so proud of what everyone has done."

Now Miss Northcott is waiting for her daughter's inquest as an investigation with the pacemaker's manufacturer is underway into why the device is thought to have failed.