A HEARTBROKEN husband has vowed to give his eight-month-old daughter “the best possible future” after his wife died while cuddling her.

Samantha Clarke unexpectedly died at her home on the morning of September 4 aged just 25.

Her husband Christian, 28, who lived in Colchester for most of his life, discovered what had happened after being woken by his daughter Ava, who was crying.

Samantha, who married her childhood sweetheart in 2019 having met him in Little Horkesley when they were both teenagers, had fallen asleep cuddling Ava.

Gazette:

When Christian went to pick up the baby, however, he realised Samantha, with whom he had an 11-year relationship, was not responding.

“I grabbed her arm to move it but she was really cold and stiff and her eyes were slightly open,” he said.

“I just kept shouting her name and after calling the ambulance I just started giving her CPR.

“But the whole time I knew she had died, but I did my absolute best to give her every chance of surviving.

“That whole morning will stick with me for a very long time - if not forever.”

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Since her death Samantha has been examined at Addenbrooke’s Hospital and tests are being carried out to determine if she suffered with diabetes or a heart condition.

Christian has been left devastated by his wife’s tragic death, but said he is determined to remain strong for his daughter.

Christian, who proposed to Samantha on a mountain top in Switzerland, added: “Our lives have been changed forever and they will be forever tainted by the fact Ava will not grow up with a mum.

“Getting married and being a mum is all Sam ever wanted, so I have to be strong because she would have wanted that.

“The temptation to curl up into a ball is unreal, but I want to give my daughter the best possible future I can.”

Gazette:

Christian’s place of work, Down To Earth Landscapes, has now launched a fundraiser to help him financially.

“No money will change anything, but the family which started the campaign are amazing people,” he added.

“It is already at £7,000, which shows how much support we have and that Samantha was loved by everyone.”

To donate, visit gofundme.com/f/help-to-raise-funds-for-sams-send-off