MUM Emma Hartley will be travelling 245 miles by train to raise money for a charity – wearing a wedding dress and a veil.

Emma, 33, from Crewe, is taking on the novel fundraiser on September 30 to support the Ally Cadence Trust for SMA.

Emma’s daughter Eilys was diagnosed with type 1 spinal muscular atrophy just before Christmas last year, and died on June 28, just two weeks after her first birthday.

Emma is raising money for the trust because of its support after her family received Eilys’ diagnosis.

“ACT gave us a specialised car seat so Eilys could lie flat in the car, which helped her breathing, the wheels for the car seat, a pushchair, an apnea monitor, oxygen saturation monitor, lights for Eilys to play with, appropriate toys and a GoPro for videoing in the bath and swimming pool,” said Emma, who has a three-year-old son Dylan.

“All these things were incredibly helpful and improved Eilys’ quality of life no end, but the trust was also on the end of the phone 24 hours a day seven days a week for families to contact to have someone to talk to.

“Knowing there was someone there to talk to us who had been in the same situation was brilliant, and since Eilys died they have been just as supportive to us a family.

“My best friend has organised a charity ball for the trust and SANDS in Alton, Hampshire, on October 1, and I’m going to travel the 245 miles to go there by train wearing a wedding dress.

“I will be travelling on September 30, by Virgin train from Crewe to London, on the tube from Euston to Waterloo, then South West Trains to Woking and another train to Alton.”

For the Wear It Again Charity Ball people are invited to dig out their wedding or prom dress or suit they thought they would never wear again.

Emma has raised £508 towards her £750 target, and anyone who would like to support her can donate at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/cinderEmmaWillGoToTheBall SANDS is the Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Charity, and provides support for bereaved parents and their families.