A CHARITY set up in the memory of tragic baby girl is making a huge difference to families across the UK.

Lagan’s Foundation is the UK’s only charity dedicated to providing help to parents whose babies are born with congenital heart defects in their own homes.

It was set up by parents Carren Bell and Barry Grant, from Horwich, and was inspired by the memory of their daughter Lagan Katherine Anne Grant, who lost her fight against a devastating heart condition when she was only 15- weeks-old.

She was born on January 11 last year, but died on April 26 from a congenital heart defect.

Lagan’s Foundation works with Liverpool’s Alder Hey Hospital to help parents in similar situations by recruiting and training volunteers.

Miss Bell, who also has a daughter Ceridwen, aged 10 and son, Lochlyn, who was born in March, said: “I didn’t have this support when Lagan was born. The support should be there, but it is not, and this charity bridges the gap between the NHS and community services. It is testament to how much this charity is filling a gap, given the families from across the UK which Lagan’s Foundation is helping.

Looking after a child 24/7 is hard, but looking after a poorly child 24/7 is impossible. This about giving families quality and fulfilling time together by getting the support they need through trained volunteers.”

The foundation has recruited about 30 volunteers to work with families and is looking for more to help parents and babies who have feeding difficulties.

Volunteers are all from all backgrounds are placed with families local to them.

The help volunteers provide could be as simple as being someone to talk to or allowing a parent or carer some time to have a proper sleep.

All home support volunteers have to go through a oneday training course at Alder Hey Children's Hospital, Liverpool, CRB checks and an NSPCC Child Protection Course. All are provided free of charge.

The charity was announced as one of Bolton Wanderers three local associate charity partners for the 2012/13 season.

Lagan’s Foundation is currently looking for businesses to adopt it as their charity of the year as well as individuals to fundraise for it so more families can be helped by more trained volunteers.

For more information visit lagans.org.uk