A heartfelt campaign to help the family of Rachel Park who died suddenly only days after bringing her triplets home for Christmas has received worldwide support.

More than £24,000 has been collected in her memory after the family's tragic tale triggered an international outpouring of sympathy.

And Rachel, who died at her Bransty home on December 27, will be remembered at a service in St John's Church, Hensingham, on Wednesday at 12.45pm.

Her grief-stricken husband Steven and family have thanked those who have helped raise thousands of pounds to support the triplets, and added they have been "overwhelmed" with the response.

On behalf of the 39-year-old's family, Rachel's cousin Anna Cahill, said: "Alongside marrying her best friend and husband, Steven, Rachel's proudest moment was becoming a mammy to her longed for, beautiful triplet daughters, of whom she was totally devoted to caring for, with the support from husband and doting father, Steven.

"It was only in the news about how overjoyed they were to be spending their first Christmas together, and the fun times which lay ahead of them.

"There are no words to describe the sadness and loss we are feeling."

She added: "On behalf of the family, Rachel's husband Steven, and her father John, I would like to offer thanks for the support and kind words offered by people near and far.

"We are overwhelmed by people's generosity on the fundraising pages."

The campaign was set up by Lucy Dawson, 21, from Whitehaven, and Trudy Turnbull, 36, from Northumberland, alongside another friend Julie Hodgson, who got to know Rachel as they all went through the experience of pregnancy with triplets. As they supported each other, they became firm friends.

Lucy gave birth to her sons Vinnie, Roary, and Stanley, but sadly Vinnie died aged six weeks.

Describing the public response to their appeal for Rachel's triplets, she said: “It's been incredible. When we set it up, we thought we'd get a couple of hundred quid but people have been amazing.

“We've had people donating from Australia, America, Poland, Belfast.

"It's incredibly tragic. Rachel was selfless, and would never moan about anything, even when she was going through the same things as I was. She had the girls in March, and I fell pregnant in March and we got talking because we both lived in Whitehaven.

“She supported me through my pregnancy and after I had the boys. She always had a smile on her face and she was positive about everything."

Throughout their triplets' treatment at Newcastle's Royal Victoria Infirmary, Rachel and Steven were supported by The Sick Children's Trust, which provided accommodation at its Crawford House site.

And the family has asked that any donations made at Rachel's funeral are handed over to the trust or to Tiny Lives, a charity that helps to care for premature and sick babies, their mothers and families.

The Sick Children's Trust's chief executive, Jane Featherstone, said she was devastated when she heard the news.

"Rachel was an incredible mother who fought so hard to have her three miracle babies Poppie, Mollie and Evelyn," she said.

"Rachel and Steven have been inspirational ambassadors for The Sick Children's Trust, bravely sharing their experiences of having seriously ill babies to provide hope for other families. Our thoughts and deepest sympathies go out to Steven, the girls and the rest of their family."

Staff at Whitehaven's Tesco store have rallied round to help the family and have collected £1,600 through a raffle and collection tins by the tills.

Donations can be made via Paypal to Parktriplets@gmail.com and also via the Go Fund Me website at http://bit.ly/2iwHKjc

Funeral donations can be sent via Eaves Funeral Service on 01946 694213