A Suffolk mum-of-two is set to cycle 300 miles in memory of her baby girl.

Lauren Gardner, from Shotley Gate, and her dad 60-year-old Keith Everitt signed up for the London to Paris bike ride.

The participants will take on the four-day challenge to support Action Medical Research for children.

It comes after the 34-year-old and her husband, Mark, discovered their unborn daughter had Turner Syndrome at the 12-week scan.

Ipswich Star: Lauren Gardner with her husband Mark and children Esme and Teddy, Family archives Lauren Gardner with her husband Mark and children Esme and Teddy, Family archives (Image: Family archives)

Mrs Gardner, who works as the head of PR at Woodbridge-based PR agency Satsuma Group, said: “At the time I remember thinking this just couldn’t be real, it couldn’t be happening. We heard a heartbeat but were told that something wasn’t right.

“Being ushered into a side room to speak to a doctor, we still held on to some hope, but heartbreakingly, we were told that there were serious concerns.”

Mrs Gardner was referred to Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge for further testing, where it was confirmed the baby had Turner Syndrome, a chromosomal abnormality that only affects girls and causes problems during fetal development.

Only 1-3% of babies diagnosed with Turner Syndrome in pregnancy survive birth and the majority end in miscarriage or stillbirth. There is no cure for this disease.

The couple had to make the heartbreaking decision to have a medical termination, and on December 11, 2016, Freya was born at 15 weeks.

Ipswich Star: Lauren Gardner with her children Esme and Teddy, Family archives Lauren Gardner with her children Esme and Teddy, Family archives (Image: Family archives)

Mrs Gardner, mum to eight-year-old Esme and five-year-old Teddy, added: “Our experience is something I’ve struggled to talk about, but if sharing our story might help someone else navigate this isolating, frightening experience, then it’s worth the tears and pain.

“Nobody should have to go through something like this alone.”

The challenge organised by Action Medical Research takes place from July 19-23, and sees participants ride from London through Kent, before crossing the Channel to Calais.

The ride then continues through the villages of northern France, finishing in Paris.

Action Medical Research for Children is a leading UK-wide charity, that funds vital research to help sick and disabled babies, children, and young people.

Support the challenge online here.