A mother has spoken of the precious few hours she spent with her baby before he tragically died after being born with his heart beating outside his body.

Gabriel Kerr, who suffered from rare ectopia cordis, was delivered seven weeks early by emergency Caesarean at London's Evelina Children's Hospital at 2.30pm last Wednesday weighing 5lb 10oz.

Having battled against the odds for 33 weeks in the womb, little Gabriel could fight no more and lived for just four hours.

His parents, Samantha and Dennis, have now spoken of the time they spent with him.

Mrs Kerr, of Brishing Lane, Park Wood, described him as angelic and said: “We spent four precious hours with Gabriel before he passed.

“We feel so blessed to have had that precious time with him. He was peaceful from birth and remains peaceful still.

“Gabriel’s heart even looked the traditional shape, he looked like an angel and was so very beautiful.

“He really is a miracle baby who has been sent to do the work of God and was just too precious for life on earth.”

The 33-year-old mother-of-two added: “It was almost like he felt his time was running out and wanted to meet us.

“He came out crying and we had him blessed but he was very poorly and he couldn’t get enough oxygen.”

Before Gabriel’s death, the couple were in the process of organising a charity raffle to raise vital funds to allow them to travel to London several times a month for check-ups.

The planned event will still go ahead on Saturday from 7pm at Madginford Hall, Egremont Road, Bearsted.

Any money raised will go towards ongoing medical appointments, Gabriel’s funeral arrangements and raising awareness of the condition.

Mrs Kerr said the family are also looking to set up a charity in Gabriel’s memory to allow parents in a similar situation to get much needed information on the rare condition.

She added: “Gabriel touched the lives of so many in his short life.

“We celebrate him and the time we had. We are so amazed to have been given such a precious gift.

"We will continue to raise awareness for ectopia cordis and be able to support others through this very difficult and rare condition.”

A service for Gabriel will be held on Monday at Vinters Park Crematorium in Bearsted Road and he will be buried at Sutton Road Cemetery.

For more details about the auction, email samanthakerr0@gmail.com.

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