A mother who wants to honour her daughter's life by opening a respite home for women with postnatal depression is carol singing to highlight the cause.

Lyn Richardson from Dover will lead a group of singers through the streets of Aylesham on the evening of Friday, December 10 and in town centre pubs in Deal on Friday, December 17.

She'll be shaking buckets in aid of Everglow - The Rebecca Kruza Foundation as she goes.

The campaign aims to improve support services for mothers and babies before, during and after birth.

It was set up in memory of her daughter Rebecca Kruza who died in June 2017.

Mrs Richardson has now shared more details about the campaign's long term aim which is to open a respite home in the Dover and Folkestone area.

It would be for parents and their infants with mild to moderate post natal depression symptoms to access rest, help and therapeutic treatments.

Everglow has already raised £10,500 but Mrs Richardson says this is a "drop in the ocean" as to what is needed.

She is applying for charity status which she hopes will open the door to major grant funding.

She said: "If I could open just one respite home, I'd be able to sleep at night, as that is all Becky said she needed.

"As soon as a mother says she is struggling, the doctors go down the mental health route.

"Then comes appointments and medication, which can make looking after a baby even harder.

"What more mums actually need is respite, one on one support, and early intervention to stop it leading to mental health.

"Midwives and health visitors need to be seeing mums face to face more often.

"They need cheap, simple measures put in place."

Insurance underwriter Rebecca Kruza, 39, from Hawkinge, was a new mum of almost eight months when she tragically took her life.

She had visited doctors regarding her post natal depression 12 times between March and May in 2018.

'We need to be making strides now. We need to be making changes for these mums.'

She was found at her mother Lyn Richardson's home in Alkham in June 2017. At the time Mrs Richardson was looking after Rebecca's son.

An inquest that November heard Rebecca was tormented by disturbing visions.

Coroner for north east Kent Alan Blundson ruled she had intended to take her own life and gave a verdict of suicide.

The Everglow committee has already held meetings with NHS England and the Royal College of Midwives but would like to meet with the Department of Health and Social Care.

She wants to work closely with the authorities to bring the campaign's vision to reality.

She said: "We need to be making strides now. We need to be making changes for these mums."

Those interested in joining in the carol singing can meet in Aylesham's Market Square at 6.30pm and the following week in Deal, outside Boots in the High Street, at 7pm.

Adults and children are welcome but are kindly asked to forewarn Mrs Richardson via 01304 721338.

She is also keen to hear from any parents who would like to share their experiences of East Kent maternity services in the past year.

People who would like to volunteer for Everglow, providing admin and technical support, can call the same number.

Find out more at: everglowtherebeccakruzafoundation.co.uk