The heartache and pain of losing his premature baby has inspired a father to write and record a touching song in her memory.

Eastern Daily Press: Lola Palmer who battled for life for 12 hours after being born prematurely. Picture: Sammie PalmerLola Palmer who battled for life for 12 hours after being born prematurely. Picture: Sammie Palmer (Image: Picture: Sammie Palmer)

In July 2013, just 24 weeks into her pregnancy, Sammie Palmer was rushed into the West Suffolk Hospital, Bury St Edmunds, where she gave birth to daughter Lola.

Transferred to the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital (NNUH), for 12 hours little Lola fought for her life but was sadly too small to survive.

As a tribute to his daughter, Craig Palmer has now written and recorded Lola - a rap which describes the agonising experience of losing her.

The 31-year-old, who lives on the Howard Estate in Bury St Edmunds, hopes it will help those going through the struggle of having a premature baby.

Eastern Daily Press: Craig Palmer who has written and recorded a rap about his daughter Lola who died prematurely in 2013. He is at home in Bury St Edmunds with his family, wife Sammie, and daughters, Lily-Mae, three, and Mia-Rose, two. Picture: DENISE BRADLEYCraig Palmer who has written and recorded a rap about his daughter Lola who died prematurely in 2013. He is at home in Bury St Edmunds with his family, wife Sammie, and daughters, Lily-Mae, three, and Mia-Rose, two. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2018)

The couple, who have daughters Lily-Mae, aged three, and Mia-Rose, aged two, also want to raise money for the neonatal units at both hospitals.

He said: “I wanted to make people more aware of it because it was something I did not expect to happen to us.

“I have tried to make it as honest and as real as possible. It feels like I have achieved something in Lola’s name and is something I am proud of.”

Currently more than £1,200 has been raised through donations and download sales.

Eastern Daily Press: Craig Palmer who has written and recorded a rap about his daughter Lola who died prematurely in 2013. He is at home in Bury St Edmunds with his family, wife Sammie, and daughters, Lily-Mae, three, and Mia-Rose, two. Picture: DENISE BRADLEYCraig Palmer who has written and recorded a rap about his daughter Lola who died prematurely in 2013. He is at home in Bury St Edmunds with his family, wife Sammie, and daughters, Lily-Mae, three, and Mia-Rose, two. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2018)

“We had so much support from both hospitals,” said Mr Palmer. “The NNUH helped us make memories that will last for ever. We have Lola’s handprint and footprint and photos that they took for us. They gave us time to spend with Lola. It was what we needed and they were really supportive.”

Mrs Palmer, 27, said she hoped they could help people talk more about what is an emotive subject.

“It is rare to get a man’s point of view,” she said. “With this sort of thing it is always women speaking about how they felt, because obviously we are the ones who go through the labour.

“I think to get a man’s perspective is raising awareness for them and getting them to speak out. I think a lot of men don’t get the opportunity often to say how upset they are because they are always supporting their wives.”

She added: “I am really proud of him because it is so touching and that is our daughter and he has done something amazing for her.”

For information on how to donate and download the song visit Craig Palmer’s fundraising page.