Norfolk mum to run marathon in memory of baby daughter killed by her partner in 1998

Lisa Askey is running the London Marathon in memory of baby Heidi Smith, pictured, who died in 1998 (Image: Archant)

It was 1998 when Raymond Rock shook baby Heidi Smith to death at his home in St Nicholas Terrace, Great Yarmouth, while her mother, Lisa Hudson, was at work.

In the harrowing months that followed, Rock denied any wrongdoing and Heidi's family were forced to go through the ordeal of a court trial.

For that young mum, then 27, the pain was immeasurable. She had lost her cheeky and lovable little girl.

Life was on hold, but slowly she has regained her strength and rebuilt her life.

Raymond Rock pictured with Heidi Ann Smith

Today Lisa Askey lives in Ormesby St Margaret with her teenage son Jake and husband Rob. She is a busy working mum with two dogs and a bustling household. The memory of what happened will never fade but she has learnt to cope.

And next month, when she puts on her trainers and steps across the starting line of the London Marathon, she will be thinking of her baby girl.

'I want to show people that you can go through the most horrific thing in life and come out the other side,' said Mrs Askey, now working as a care coordinator.

'The loss of a child is something nobody should go through.

'The pain doesn't go away; the birthdays, anniversaries, and Christmases don't get easier. But you learn how to cope. You can survive.'

Rock was jailed for life for murder in 1999 and following an appeal this was reduced to manslaughter. He was released in 2005.

On the day he was imprisoned at Chelmsford Crown Court, a 29-year-old Mrs Askey said justice had in one way been served but nothing could bring Heidi back.'

This week, she said: 'No good has ever come out of what happened to Heidi. And it is a complete life sentence for me. But like so many others who have had child murdered you have to need to carry on.'

Mrs Askey took up running three years ago and will raise money for the NSPCC when she tackles her first marathon on April 26.

She completed the Sheffield half marathon last year and is 'nervous and excited' about the forthcoming race.

She said memories of Heidi will probably help her cross the finishing line, but she'll think of other children too.

The tragic death of one-year-old Peter Connelly, known as Baby P, in 2007 was something that affected her deeply, It steeled her determination to help other children, especially those without loving homes.

'I want to run for him too,' she said. I think about what happened to him a lot. I know the money I raise will go to a deserving charity who help children who are going through hell.My grief will always go on but so will Heidi's memory if I let it.

You can sponsor Mrs Askey online at uk.virginmoneygiving.com/SomeoneSpecial/Virginmoneygiving.com, where you can search for 'In memory of Heidi Smith'.

Are you running the marathon in memory of someone special? Email lauren.rogers@archant.co.uk.