A COUPLE who took the heartbreaking decision to turn off the ventilator keeping their daughter alive are to mark the anniversary of her death with a fund-raising drive.

Matthew Turner, 30, of Oak Close, Barrow, near Whalley, hopes to raise more than £1,000 for the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital, Pendlebury. by taking part in the 10k Blackpool Fun Run on May 11.

Matthew,who works for a finance company, will be joined by family and friends and cheered across the finishing line by wife, Lucy.

Their daughter, Annabel Grace, was 22 months old when she died. She suffered from a mystery illness that left her unable to breathe without a ventilator.

Doctors suspected Annabel had a condition that prevented her brain from transmitting instructions to her airways but did not know of any cure.

And consultants advised the family that the condition was untreatable and advised the the withdrawal of the ventilator helping her to breathe.

Matthew and Lucy were with Annabel when she died.

Lucy, an occupational help assistant at Calderstones Hospital, Whalley, said: "Matthew has been training hard for the run by cycling and jogging around the village, but he's not a runner, he's more of a desk man. So this is quite a big challenge for him.

"About a dozen family members and friends are joining him in the race.

"The care Annabel received at the hospital was second to none and the quality of nursing was amazing. We want to mark Annabel's death in a positive way and say a huge thankyou to Pendlebury staff."

If you would like to sponsor Matthew, contact Lucy Turner on 01254 824948.