A COUPLE who have raised more than £50,000 in memory of their son will mark what would have been his fourth birthday by raising more cash.

Luke, 33, and Gemma Froude, 32, will stage the fourth Finnley’s Day to mark the day they lost their son Finnley.

He was born 12 weeks premature weighing 1lb 4oz and cared for in the neo-natal intensive care unit at the John Radcliffe Hospital.

But the youngster suffered complications and died aged 18 weeks in June 2010.

Each year the couple have staged a fun day to raise cash for SSNAP (Support for Sick Newborns And their Parents), a charity based at the hospital.

This year’s event takes place at Banbury Town Hall, in Bridge Street, on Saturday, February 1, from 9am to 5pm.

So far the couple, of Appleby Close, Banbury, have raised £50,366.03 in Finnley’s name.

Nursery manager Mrs Froude said: “This will be the fourth Finnley’s day which has become an annual event in Banbury’s calendar.

“Finnley’s legacy helps keep his memory alive for us and gave his short life even more meaning.

“We plan to hold future events and will continue to raise money in his name and awareness of the premature baby unit.”

The couple are in talks with the charity to donate cash raised this year to a palliative care suite at the unit, which will give families a private space to be with their babies.

Mr Froude works as a manager at Bibby Financial Services, Banbury, which is sponsoring the event.

On the day there will be a photo-booth, bouncy castle, face painting, fire engine visit, craft stalls, CD and DVD sale, cakes and refreshments, tombolas and raffle.

People can enter a prize draw online via sponsorme.co.uk/bibby-lukefroude