A couple are urging people to help make a charity fun day a success in memory of their baby son.

Gemma and Luke Froude will host the second annual Finnley’s Day to raise cash for the charity that supported them during his short life.

Finnley was born 12 weeks premature, weighing just 1lb 4oz. He was cared for in the neo-natal intensive care unit at the John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford. But aged 18 weeks his heart was not strong enough to survive an infection.

So far the couple have raised more than £23,000 for SSNAP, the charity which supports the special care baby unit at the John Radcliffe Hospital.

Next Saturday, the fun day will mark the tiny tot’s second birthday. Finnley’s birthday was January 29.

Mrs Froude, of Appleby Close, Banbury, said: “The event means a lot to us as it is our way of saying thank you to SSNAP for the help and support they gave us while Finnley was in the neonatal unit his whole life.

“It raises awareness that not everyone is lucky enough to have a baby and come home in the next few days as a family.

“So many families use intensive and special care and it is important the units are supported as much as possible.”

The fun day, at Banbury Town Hall, in Bridge Street, runs from 9am to 5pm, with stalls, face painting, games including splat-the-rat and guess-the-bear’s-name and refreshments.

Mrs Froude said: “We don’t know how many came last year but it was a lot. Many of our friends and family travelled from various places in the country and the duty manager at the town hall who said he had never seen so many people in the hall before.

“That made us proud. We hope to have the same support this year and would urge people to come along for a charity very close to our hearts.

“Last year we raised over £6,000, so if we beat that we would be very pleased.”