The grieving mother of a woman who took her own life says she will not stop until a respite home for new mums and their babies is open - and has contacted the King to ask for his help.

Lyn Richardson’s beloved daughter Rebecca Kruza, 39, died at her home in Alkham in June 2017, seven months after giving birth.

In the months leading up to her death, Rebecca, who spoke of visions of her baby in the washing machine, had been struggling with her mental health and had sought help from various professionals.

Following her inquest in 2018, her family released a statement saying they felt those professionals had let insurance underwriter Rebecca, from Folkestone, down.

They were also concerned about her being prescribed antidepressant Mirtazapine to help her sleep, as a side effect of the drug can increase suicidal ideation.

Following Rebecca’s death, which Ms Richardson said brought “desolation to her family”, she launched Everglow - The Rebecca Kruza Foundation.

It is campaigning for a new mother and baby respite home in east Kent for mothers who show mild mental health symptoms after giving birth.

It would be a place where mums and babies can rest, have time out, and therapeutic treatment they need to recuperate, feel safe, and cared for.

The foundation is also dedicated to improving maternity and perinatal services, and also want the government to make Rebecca’s Law, to legislate on the duties of health visitors and GPs ensuring health visits continue when postnatal depression is identified.

Mother-of-five Ms Richardson said: “I long for the day when I can mourn her instead of this endless grief which is all I can do while the battle continues to have dangerous psychotropic medications like Mirtazapine adequately classified with black box warnings.

“Vulnerable mothers and their babies need to be monitored and safeguarded from the risks of deranging side effects.

“The irresponsible prescribing continues and that is why our Everglow charity is campaigning for Rebecca's Law and our mother and baby respite home in Rebecca's name.

“What really hurts though is that it won't bring her back.”

After trying to get the home opened for more than five years, Ms Richardson has now written a letter to King Charles and is calling on anyone who could help, to get in touch.

The Alkham resident said: “We need this home now.

“We’re not doing this just for Becky, we’re doing it for all the mothers and babies and their families and friends.

“The whole community becomes damaged when a mother develops serious mental health issues and suicide is absolutely devastating.

“I want to achieve this for them, in Becky’s name, and I want to be able to mourn my daughter because so far, all I’ve been able to do is grieve and it’s been a very harsh experience.”

The grandmother-of-six explained that she is facing a “bureaucratic brick wall” as the Church of England, who was helping her find a property, has now told her the situation has changed and she needs proof of funding before they can help.

And other large funding organisations, who are overwhelmed with requests following government cutbacks, say a property is needed before they can help.

Ms Richardson has therefore contacted the King, who is the head of The Church of England, in a bid to get the ball rolling.

She is also calling on kind philanthropists who have the sort of money needed to fund the home available, as well as anyone who may be able to offer advice on how she can get the home open.

Ms Richardson has also contacted Dover District Council and Kent County Council to see if they can help in finding a property, adding she continues to apply for government grants where possible.

A series of fundraisers have also been organised by the charity, including runs and a music festival.

Explaining what the mother and baby respite home would look like, Ms Richardson says it would be in a rural and tranquil location in or around Dover and offer a safe space for mothers and their babies to bond.

“Symptoms can become really bizarre and these women can have very irrational visions,” she said.

“She could be in a very delicate postnatal phase too where she is still having physical effects, for example, she may still be bleeding so, they need to be in a place where they feel comfortable.”

The home would have therapy rooms, communal areas and gardens.

A mother from Ashford, who wished to remain anonymous, told KentOnline how such a place would have been vital for her daughter, who attempted suicide several times during her battle with postnatal depression.

After giving birth in 2022, her daughter, who had a “perfect” pregnancy and delivery, started to feel low.

She was also prescribed Mirtazapine, which made her extremely tired meaning she would often pass out and be unable to wake up to the noise of her baby crying.

She also attempted to take her own life and after being unable to get help, turned to cocaine.

Speaking to KentOnline, her mother said: “We didn’t know what was going on. She wasn’t her usual self and she and her partner were struggling.

“I was forever leaving work and going around her house because she wouldn’t pick up her phone. I’d get there and she’d be passed out asleep because of the effect the Mirtazapine had on her, and the baby would be crying in the nursery.

“She became a cocaine addict and lost her way.

“My sister lives in rural Wales and the only way we could get my daughter better was to take her there. She stayed there for about six weeks – it was the only place we could take her to get her away from where she was getting the drugs from.”

After coming home, her daughter joined several groups to help her recovery and to this day, is doing a lot better.

But, her mother said that had there been a mother and baby respite home available, she would have driven her daughter straight there adding what Ms Richardson is doing is fantastic.

Ms Richardson predicts more than £1 million would be needed to open the respite home, with another £900,000 needed every year to keep it going.

Ms Richardson, who is a qualified psychologist, is asking anyone who may be able to help to email her at therebeccakruzafoundation@gmail.com