Sophie Walker and Ryan Allard treasure the pictures of their tiny daughter, Lola, cradled in their arms.

The first photographs of a baby are so precious, but even more so for this young couple as they will also be the last.

They won’t be able to photograph Lola as she smiles for the first time or takes her first steps.

Their daughter was stillborn on April 17 this year and the pictures were taken by the charity, Remember My Baby, as Sophie and Ryan spent a few hours with her at hospital.

Now the couple from Strood want to help other families create memories with their stillborn babies by raising money for the charity.

Sophie was 27 weeks pregnant when she realised she had not felt her baby move as normal.

Doctors at Medway hospital told her the baby’s heart had stopped beating; her baby was born two days later.

The couple called her Lola –they had already picked the name when they found out they were having a girl at 17 weeks.

After being given the devastating news, Sophie posted on an online pregnancy forum for advice.

It was here she was contacted by Remember My Baby, which offers remembrance photography free of charge to parents experiencing the loss of their baby, before, during or shortly after birth.

A photographer went to the hospital after Sophie had given birth and spent a few hours with the family. Ryan’s sister and mum were able to be there too and have some pictures taken holding Lola.

"The photographer was amazing. She treated Lola like a baby, not a stillborn."

Sophie, 21, said: “The photos are really important to me, they mean a lot.

“After posting online I was contacted by a quite a lot of ladies who had been through a stillbirth who said I would regret it if I didn’t get the photos done.

“The photographer was amazing. She treated Lola like a baby, not a stillborn. The photos are all done in black and white and Lola looks lovely. We will treasure the pictures forever.”

The charity ensured the couple had a few photographs in time for Lola’s funeral and then sent the rest a few weeks later. One of the pictures has been placed on her grave at Strood cemetery.

Sophie said: “The photos are such an amazing thing to have, they have helped me so much. That’s why I want to help the charity help other parents.”

Visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/sophie-walker2016 to donate.