CHERYL Shepherd still smiles when she remembers the happy times she enjoyed with her friend Zoe Stocker.

But just a few days after the friends enjoyed a carefree day together at a corporate event, Zoe tragically died shortly after giving birth to her only child.

To compound the grief of Zoe's husband Elliott and her family and friends, newborn baby Louie survived for just an hour.

Now Cheryl is dedicating a special charity day to Zoe to ensure her memory lives on.

Cheryl said she was stunned to discover Zoe had died, particularly as the last time she saw her she was making new friends at the corporate day near Marlborough.

"She was glowing at the end of that day and seemed absolutely healthy," said Cheryl. "It is a shock to everybody.

"Zoe only had five weeks to go in her pregnancy and was excited about her baby and moving to Upham Road, which was going to be her family home."

Zoe was rushed to hospital from her home in Wanborough when she became unconscious in the early hours of July 22. Baby Louie was delivered by Caesarean section but doctors discovered Zoe was bleeding from a ruptured artery near her spleen and surgeons were unable to save her.

Cheryl is now planning a weekend of alternative therapy sessions at the Blue Moon healing centre in Morley Street, to raise money for the Special Care Baby Unit at the Great Western Hospital.

She wants to host a charity event to remember Zoe, who did angel readings.

People can donate money to try out alternative therapy sessions including reiki, past-life regression and tarot reading. A team of five experts will be on hand to deliver tasters on September 15 and 16.

Zoe had a passion for alternative therapies and Cheryl wants to introduce more people to the benefits of them.

She remembers Zoe coming into her shop and offering to help out with angel readings.

"She walked in and lit the place up," she recalled."She was really bubbly and positive all the time. She was a beautiful person.

"Zoe was into alternative therapy and healing. I want to let people see what it is like. People don't realise the positive effects of the healing.

"It will bring a bit of healing to Swindon and raise money for the GWH Special Care Baby Unit.

"A lot of people never get a human touch, but they can benefit so much from a neck and shoulder massage."

Zoe's husband Elliott said he is happy the event is taking place.

"I'm really delighted that Cheryl is doing this for the baby care unit, he said. "It is certainly something Zoe was passionate about."

Reiki, Indian head massage, past-life regression, tarot reading, psychic readings, reflexology, back massage and hypnosis are all available.

Pre-booking is recommended and anyone interested can call Cheryl on 01793 434174. People can also reserve places by visiting the Blue Moon healing centre.