A COUPLE whose baby was born four months premature have organised a football tournament in memory of the daughter they lost.

Money from the event will go to charity SiMBA which helps parents whose babies are stillborn or die soon after birth.

Little Sofia was born more than 22 weeks early in October 2015 to parents Robert Chapman and Kellylouise Ballantyne.

They were given a SiMBA memory box to store mementos of their much loved daughter.

Robert, a manager of a city pawnbroker, said: "When you are given the memory box it is the last thing on your mind because you are leaving the hospital with a box rather than your daughter.

"But in time we used it to store the funeral cards and it has become like a shrine in the living room.

"If the house went on fire, the first thing we would grab is the box because it means that much. It is a link to Sophia and means everything."

Last year Robert and Kellylouise, who live in Calton, organised the first Sophia Chapman Cup to raise funds for memory boxes for other mourning parents.

Kellylouise, her sister Joanne and Robert's mum Janice all took part in a 10k run and a charity night was held, raising a total of £5,000.

This year, the Sofia Chapman Cup will be held on February 19 at Soccerworld in Glasgow.

Robert said: "It will be a 16 team, five-a-side football tournament. Most of the city enjoys a game of football but it divides a lot of people so we are hoping to unite people through Sofia."

Money from the event will go to SiMBA to help them buy a cuddle cot which has a cooling mattress which allows grieving parents to stay with their youngster until they are ready to say goodbye.

Robert said: "We decided to hold the tournament on February 19 as Sofia's due date was February 17 last year but she was born in October 2015.

"We are looking to raise at least £1600 as it costs £1570 for a cuddle cot."

Anyone who wants to donate money can do so by going to the Sofia Chapman Cup page on virginmoneygiving.com

The event is being supported by Rangers fans group Club 1872.

A spokesman said:"Club 1872 is delighted to be getting involved. We are hoping to have two teams of seven in the tournament. Club 1872 Board members William Cowie and Craig Houston will both take part, and we are inviting Club 1872 members/supporters to volunteer to play along with them."

They are looking for twelve Club 1872 members/supporters to make up the two teams. Each player will be asked to pay £12.50 for their entry fee. This will raise £90 per team, which will help pay for Cuddle Cots to be donated to various hospitals throughout Scotland.

The tournament will take place on February 19 at Soccerworld in Glasgow at 11am.

For more information email info@club1872.co.uk by January 31 if you would like to take part.