A KIND-HEARTED teenager has taught herself how to make jewellery to raise money for her baby cousin’s headstone.

Keira Penney, 15, wanted to help her family get the right memorial after Lacey-Mae died at seven months old on January 21.

Lacey-Mae was diagnosed with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH). She had a hole in her diaphragm, causing her intestines to go up into her chest and preventing her lungs and heart from growing properly.

The tot had to fight many viruses, sepsis, heart failure, chronic lung disease and pulmonary hypertension.

Inspired by her battle, Keira is trying to raise the £2,000 for her cousin’s headstone.

Keira, of Redhouse Way, said: “I’ve been borrowing my nanny Angela’s jewellery kit and teaching myself how to make necklaces made from wire so I can put people’s names on them, as well as bracelets and earrings.

" I asked if anyone would want to buy one on Facebook which had a good response so it’s kept me busy.

“The hardest name I’ve had to make so far is Carenza because it has a lot of different letters in it. But it’s nice to see people want to help, at one point I had six different pieces to make for one order.

“It’s all for my cousin, who was born on June 12 last year. She had big surgery because of the hole caused by CDH. She was sent home but two days before Christmas but because she was quite a fragile baby, she fell ill again and had to be sent back to the hospital.

“It was devastating for our family, she was more like a sister to me. I used to go and see Lacey and her mum Becky every day.

"I miss her so much and it’s been heartbreaking.”

Many customers have been generous, paying the North Swindon teen more than the £6 asking price for the trinkets.

They can be ordered via Facebook Messenger.

Keira says she is grateful for all the help she can get and feels proud to be doing something good for her family during such a difficult time.

She said: “My auntie has got severe epilepsy so she is unable to work and after losing her daughter it’s been really tough on her so I wanted to do something nice for her.

“Lacey always had a smile that would spread to everyone else. She was truly special to anyone who had the chance to meet her. I feel like I’m doing something for Lacey too and I think she would be very proud of what I’m doing.”

Keira has also launched a fundraising page which has generated around £50 of her £500 target so far.

Donations can be made at www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/lacey-mae-headstone