A DYFFRYN Ardudwy mother-of-two is tackling one of the world’s mightiest mountains in memory of her brother who died at just 12 weeks old.

Kirstie Lumsdon, 38, will climb Mount Kilimanjaro in October to raise funds and awareness for The Lullaby Trust, a charity which deals with the harrowing asp­ects of cot death.

Kirstie, who has lived in Meirionnydd for three decades, grew up without her older brother after he died as a result of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) before she was born.

James Amison was just three months old when he passed away, but that was “old enough for his mummy and daddy to get to know him and fill their lives with love” according to his younger sister.

James would have been 40 this year so Kirstie has decided to under­take her African adventure in memory of her lost brother.

“James has always been a part of my life, not in a morbid, living in the past way – I never met him aft­er all – but in a spiritual way,” the health and safety consultant told the Cambrian News.

“In my mind he has grown with me and guided me just as a big brother would.

“With this in mind, I have set myself the challenge of trekking to the summit of Kilimanjaro to raise money for this amazing cause.

“The Lullaby Trust have been brilliant towards me and my family. They supported my parents when they were grieving and they’ve helped us out ever since.

“They were particularly helpful when I was having my first child because, although SIDS isn’t hereditary, it does play on your mind.

“The Lullaby Trust provides support for families who have lost children through SIDS, this support continues throughout their life.”

Kirstie, who is the proud mother of two boys Charlie, four, and Niall, two, has held fund-raising events for her trip and has raising more than half of her £5,000 target already, but she doesn’t want to stop there.

“I’m hosting a ‘nearly new’ sale in Bendigedig, Barmouth, on Saturday, 2 April,” she added.

“It’s for a great cause and I’m really hoping to raise as much money for them as possible.

“This walk will be the most challenging task of my life, but it pales in comparison to the good work achieved by the Lullaby Trust.”

For more information or to donate, visit www.justgiving.com/Kirstie-Lumsdon/