A couple whose baby boy passed away just three days after he was born raised £1,500 for the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) that looked after him, with a toddler walk and teddy bear picnic.

Verity and Matthew Bradley-Barker from Chalfont St Peter lost baby Hugo on March 20 2014 after he suffered brain damage due to lack of oxygen.

Mum Verity, 30, told the Bucks Free Press she and her husband, 29, had to take the heartbreaking decision to turn off his life support after doctors at John Radcliffe Hospital said the damage was so severe he would have had a poor quality of life if he had continued to live.

She said: “At 35 weeks and two days I suffered a large bleed and had to be rushed to Wexham hospital.

“Hugo was without oxygen for 14 minutes and had irreversible brain damage.

“Staff from John Radcliffe’s neonatal intensive care unit arrived to transfer him to John Radcliffe and doctors were doing everything they could to save him.”

Her voice broke as she added: “Me and my husband had to take the devastating decision to turn off his life support.

“He lost 70 per cent of his blood during delivery.

“He was so strong and fought incredibly hard.”

The couple’s second son, Henry Arthur, who was born a little over a year later, attends Childlink Learning Centre in Chalfont St Peter, where staff surprised the couple by announcing they wanted to hold a toddler walk and teddy bear picnic in memory of Hugo, who was affectionately called Huggy Bear by his parents, with the money going to a charity of the family’s choice.

Mrs Bradley-Barker said: “We of course chose SSNAP (Supporting Sick Newborns and Parents) at John Radcliffe Hospital.

“During our time at John Radcliffe the whole team on NICU were a fantastic support and we could not have got through those devastating three days without them.

“And we will be forever indebted to them for the care and love they showed our baby boy.”

Speaking about the event, she said: “It was beautiful weather – a really sunny day which was perfect for the walk and picnic.

“I was a bit worried after the miserable weather and all that rain on the Saturday but Sunday was a bright sunny day so we felt that our angel Hugo was shining brightly.

“My husband and I were so overwhelmed by the support and the fantastic turnout for the day.

“Losing our darling Hugo was so devastating and we still struggle to come to terms with it every day.

“But Hugo will always be a part of our family and we want him to be remembered always.

“The charity event was a really fitting and special day to celebrate our special boy, and it was even more perfect that his little brother Henry was able to get involved along with his nursery.”

To donate, go to http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/SomeoneSpecial/HugoJohn.