The parents of a baby whose fight for life touched people across West Cumbria have pledged that her new sister will grow up knowing all about her.

Greg and Jill Johnston, of Little Broughton, were heartbroken in September last year when six-month-old Evie lost her battle against congenital heart and breathing problems.

Despite a short life full of medical procedures, her parents, both teachers at Our Lady and St Patrick’s Primary School, in Maryport, said she was a happy, smiling and lovable baby.

After her death, the couple dedicated themselves to ensuring Evie’s life continued to be meaningful, inspirational and positive. Their fundraising campaign, Team Evie, has so far raised more than £55,000 to help the families of other sick children.

Ten weeks ago, the couple celebrated the arrival of their second daughter, Imani. Her birth has given the couple new joy and new faith – the translation of her Swahili name.

Jill said: “Imani has brought us so much joy and, I suppose, made this whole process more bearable.

“We will never stop missing Evie and as Imani reaches milestones we will think about what it would have been like for Evie to have reached them.”

The couple have pledged to work tirelessly to make sure Evie is not forgotten.

Their latest Team Evie fundraiser was a sponsored reading challenge this week, featuring children from the couple’s school and St Gregory’s Primary School, in Workington.

Greg said: “The challenge is to raise money but also to encourage children to read. Some of the Team Evie fund has gone to providing children’s libraries at the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle. There has been so much positive reaction to that.”

The couple have donated medical equipment plus toys, TVs and luxuries to make hospital stays more pleasurable for sick children and their families.

The couple, family, friends and even strangers have climbed and walked, run, cycled, baked and auctioned to raise money for the cause. Others have held concerts or dug into their pockets. “It has been overwhelming,” Jill said.

Greg is encouraging other schools to join the reading challenge – visit www.teamevie.org