Teacher's campaign to raise £1m for families of Lucy Letby's victims - ' I couldn’t stop crying'

A fundraiser has been launched for the families of Lucy Letby's victims after the former neonatal nurse was jailed for life for murdering seven babies and trying to kill six more.

The unofficial GoFundMe campaign is attempting to raise £1 million for the families “as they attempt to rebuild their lives” following her conviction at Manchester Crown Court on Monday.

The 33-year-old, who is the most prolific child serial killer in modern British history, refused to appear in court but was sentenced to a whole life order in her absence.

More than a dozen relatives of Letby’s victims sat in the public gallery for the hearing and eight jurors also returned to see the sentencing.

Maths teacher Claire Archer, 53, from Yorkshire, set up the fundraiser after watching the trial and hearing the victims' words.

She told Yahoo News UK: “After listening to the case and victim impact statements I couldn’t stop crying.

“I felt in my gut if I could do anything to help these families I wanted to.”

Read more:

• Parents of Lucy Letby victims accuse former hospital director of ‘total fob off’ (PA)

• Mother of murdered baby still hasn’t declared child’s death - ‘We wanted justice’ (Yahoo News UK)

• NHS manager who ‘ignored serious concerns’ about Lucy Letby suspended (The Telegraph)

• Lucy may have harmed dozens more babies, police fear (The Guardian)

• Call for full public inquiry to investigate Letby murders (Evening Standard)

She added she set up the crowdfunder because she felt there was a real desire from the public to help the victims.

Archer wrote: “I'm sure many people want to reach out and show support for the families whose babies were murdered and injured by Lucy Letby.

“Their pain and suffering is unimaginable, in the face of which they have shown great courage.

Watch: Letby victims' lawyer calls for a public inquiry

“I have no connection with any of the families, I just feel very strongly that many many people will want to help in any way they can to support these families to regain some sense of peace and control in their lives.

“Money can't bring back their babies or undo the injuries, but it can reduce some of the stresses and strains they are feeling as they attempt to rebuild their lives.”

Archer said if she could not get in contact with the families, or they did not wish to accept the funds raised, they would be donated to Sands, a charity helping those suffering the loss of a baby.

A jury convicted Letby of murdering seven babies and trying to kill six more while working in the Countess of Chester Hospital’s neonatal unit between 2015 and 2016.

Letby was handed a whole-life order, making her only the fourth woman in UK history to be told she will never be released from prison.