Dorset mum’s fundraiser after sudden loss of daughter Maddie

Mum-of-three Rochelle Thompson, 36, and her family faced "heartbreak, pain and devastation" when she was woken up in the early hours of November 18 last year to find "precious and beautiful" two-year-old daughter Maddie had passed away in her bed.

It's thought it was sudden unexplained death in childhood (SUDC) - which is when a young child dies and a cause cannot be found.

Rochelle, from Charminster, said: "There was no reason or warning. She was absolutely happy in the day, it was a normal family night.

"You can imagine that night. There were ambulances, police, helicopters. She was taken straight away to Gully's Place (within the Kingfisher Ward at Dorset County Hospital).

"Maddie's dad had checked on her at 1am, she had already gone. I had a monitor in the room. There was no struggle. There was nothing. There wasn't a chance.

"You just don't expect it. For a two-year-old, a healthy happy baby."

Maddie was described as a fun-loving girl who loved life. Her third birthday would have been this Friday, May 17.

"Our little Maddie was so full of life, so nurturing and caring with a dash of sass. Maddie loved the outdoors, loved summertime at the beach, and was such an animal lover. Maddie's favourite thing was her family," added Rochelle.

"The smile on her beautiful face every time she had preschool seeing and playing with her friends, Maddie loved music and dancing she was a right little groover."

Maddie and her siblings (Image: Rochelle Thompson)

Rochelle, who works as a hairdresser and a volunteer at Reach Dorset, is working hard to keep Maddie's memory alive - to give back to the people who helped her during this 'traumatic time', and raise awareness of SUDC.

On Sunday, May 19, Rochelle will be taking on a coastal trek from Weymouth to Swanage with five other mums in memory of Maddie and to raise money for Gully's Place.

Rochelle said: "What made me keep going was knowing she was watching me. Taking it day by day, knowing that if I can just keep going, and that Maddie's name will be remembered.

"It means a lot for me to give back to the people who helped us at the most traumatic time."

Rochelle has several fundraising events planned, and will even be taking on white-collar boxing in Bournemouth. Ultimately she plans to set up a trust in Maddie's name so that every donation to every cause is in her daughter's name.

To support Rochelle's fundraiser visit: www.justgiving.com/page/rochelle-thompson-1707755795829

Alternatively, search 'Rochelle Thompson' on Just Giving's web page.