Family and friends run Hastings Half Marathon in memory of three-year-old Mila Rose

Mila Roses friends and family at the half marathon. Picture by Frank Copper

Little Mila Rose Morton passed away on February 10 at home with her family after a four-week spell in hospital.

The youngster’s family decided to take part in this year’s race on March 19 in tribute to her and to raise money for charity.

Mila Rose’s grandmother Louise Bilsby said: “My son, Billy Morton and his partner Naomi had since January 12 been sitting at the bedside of their three-year-old daughter at the Evelina London Children’s Hospital.

“On February 10 Mila Rose lost her fight and passed away with mummy and daddy by her side.

“Billy and his cousin Nathan ran the Hastings race without any real preparation in order to raise money in her memory for the Evelina hospital and the Ronald McDonald House that was so valuable to us all as a family.

“Other families will be going through the same thing and we feel it is such a worthy charity to donate to.”

A fundraising website has been set up by the youngster’s parents. On it, they said: “Mila spent four weeks in hospital with metapneumovirus, which led to her suffering a massive brain injury that shut her body down. With the help from the South Thames Retrieval Service, we were able to bring her home for her final hours. She was the most beautiful, courageous, loving and happy child, despite all that life threw at her. She never gave up.”

Louise added that from birth Mila Rose had an undiagnosed neurometabolic condition.

Neurometabolic disorders are a group of conditions causing problems with both metabolism and brain function.

Billy completed the half marathon in two hours, 17 minutes and his cousin, two hours and four minutes.

Mila Rose’s three cousins also took part and completed the children’s mini run.

To donate, visit milarose.morton.muchloved.com.

Don’t miss out on all the latest breaking news where you live.

Here are four ways you can be sure you’ll be amongst the first to know what’s going on.

1) Make our website your homepage at www.hastingsobserver.co.uk/ 2) Like our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/hastingsobserver

3) Follow us on Twitter @HastingsObs

4) Register with us by clicking on ‘sign in’ (top right corner). You can then receive our daily newsletter AND add your point of view to stories that you read here.

And do share with your family and friends - so they don’t miss out!

The Hastings Observer - always the first with your local news.

Be part of it.