A Mickle Trafford couple who set themselves the goal of raising £5,000 for charity in memory of their late son have exceeded their target.

Rebecca and Michael Vitelli started their fundraising drive in October 2014 following the tragic death of one-month-old Sebastian.

Sebastian was born prematurely in July 2014 at 24 weeks and, despite the best efforts of doctors and nurses at Arrowe Park Hospital, lost his battle for life after 31 days.

Soon afterwards, Sebastian’s devastated parents decided to raise money in his memory for Ronald McDonald House Arrowe Park – a free ‘home away from home’ for families who have children receiving treatment at the hospital.

Rebecca and Michael Vitelli, of Mickle Trafford, with their son Sebastian who only lived for 31 days

The house, which is run by the independent Ronald McDonald House Charities, was home to Rebecca and Michael for more than four weeks while Sebastian was being treated.

The grieving couple set a fundraising target of £5,000 which two months later, in December 2014, they had already reached.

In recognition of their excellent fundraising efforts, Ronald McDonald House Arrowe Park has dedicated one of its seven en-suite rooms to Sebastian, with a plaque bearing his name.

Rebecca Vitelli says: “We did this in honour of our late son Sebastian – a little something for him from us to keep his memory alive. Thanks to him many more families will be able to be close to their children in a time of need. Ronald McDonald House Arrowe Park gave us a place to stay when we needed it most. This was our thank you.”