A MOTHER who tragically lost triplets is launching a fundraising appeal to help her pay for a headstone.

Kirsty Hawkins, 29, says she wants to raise £5,000 to help install a suitable tribute to the children she and ex-partner Kieran Davies, 28, lost earlier this year.

Miss Hawkins, of Woodlands Road, fell pregnant in October 2015 and later discovered she was carrying triplets.

A few weeks into the pregnancy problems started to develop, which included bleeding and stomach cramps.

Later, she was rushed into hospital, where she heard the first child had been lost at 18 weeks and three days. In a further blow to the family, a week later she lost a second child.

Miss Hawkins said: "Words cannot describe how I was feeling. From that point I kept praying that my other child would be delivered safely and be healthy."

On Mother's Day (March 26) Miss Hawkins prematurely gave birth to a son.

"He was tiny," said Miss Hawkins, "Just a beautiful and a wonderful baby."

Tragically, a couple of hours later Miss Hawkins received devastating news that her son had died.

"My world stopped. But I knew my three other children - Tayla, Molly and Kailan-Sheryl - needed me and that helped me to keep going," said Miss Hawkins

Miss Hawkins' aim is to purchase a headstone, to pay tribute to the children who died, and hopes that the Barry community will help.

Miss Hawkins said: "I want the word triplets on top of their headstone. The headstone will be for them - Kadey-Lee, Jason Steven and Billie Jack.

“I am hoping that the community will turn out for the event and help. I believe that they will."

The fundraising evening, which will include a disco and auction, will be held on Friday, August 12 in Barry Rugby Club at 7.30pm. Anyone interested in donating can turn up on the night, entry is free.

Any remaining money will be donated to the 4Louis charity, which supports people who have suffered the trauma of a stillbirth or neonatal death.