A heartbroken North East family whose "fit and healthy" daughter died just one month after her 20th birthday have spoke of their devastation as they prepare to launch a charity in her memory. 

Poppy Eagle, from Washington, returned home from a dog walk on August 7 following a family meal at their favourite bistro - ready for a cosy movie night with her brother and sisters.

The 20-year-old, who had recently completed her first year at University of the Arts in London, went in to her bedroom to change in to her pyjamas - but then did not answer the door to her sister's knocks.

Poppy Eagle, 20, and mum Vicki.Poppy Eagle, 20, and mum Vicki. (Image: VICKI EAGLE)

Upon entering, Poppy's family including her four siblings were devastated to discover that she had unexpectedly passed away. The cause of Poppy's death is not yet known.

Poppy's mum Vicki Eagle, 45, told The Northern Echo: "The first thing I did was call an ambulance. I could just tell by everyone's screams that something was gravely wrong.

"I went upstairs and it was just all too real. I am a nurse by vocation and started CPR and four ambulance crews arrived within minutes. We tried everything in our power to save her.

Poppy with dad Peter, 44.Poppy with dad Peter, 44. (Image: VICKI EAGLE)

"There were no signs of an allergy or anything. I was looking all around the room to try and understand what had happened - did she fall? Did she hit her head? There was nothing logical at all."

In her memory, the Eagle family are set to launch the Poppy's Light Foundation which will support young people dealing with bereavement who have no one to lean on.

A fundraiser to help get the charity going has so far raised just shy of £15,000 as the family pay tribute to their "amazing" daughter.

Poppy Eagle, 20.Poppy Eagle, 20. (Image: VICKI EAGLE)

They wrote: "Our beautiful daughter Poppy Victoria has gained her Angel wings. Words cannot begin to describe our utter despair and heartbreak.

"We are endlessly proud of our amazing girl. Her talented artistic flair, taking her to one of the most prestigious universities in the world.

"Her kindness, her hard work, motivation and enthusiasm in all that she did. She believed she could and she did, in everything!

The Eagle family including mum Vicki, dad Peter, and Poppy, 20, Faith, 15, Ollie, 21, Florence, 9, and Heidi, 11.The Eagle family including mum Vicki, dad Peter, and Poppy, 20, Faith, 15, Ollie, 21, Florence, 9, and Heidi, 11. (Image: VICKI EAGLE)

"Sleep tight our darling princess and forever young. How blessed are we that god chose us to be your parents."

Explaining Poppy's Light Foundation and what they hope to achieve, Vicki added: "We decided that we really wanted to shine a light, Poppy's light, on some of the most vulnerable children.

"It was so hard having to tell Florence, who is nine, what had happened. She thought that because the ambulances arrived that they would be able to save Poppy. 

Poppy Eagle with mum Vicki, 45 and dad Peter, 44.Poppy Eagle with mum Vicki, 45 and dad Peter, 44. (Image: VICKI EAGLE)

Poppy Eagle, 20.Poppy Eagle, 20. (Image: VICKI EAGLE)

"I just did not know what to do - I think I went in to autopilot. How do I tell my children that Poppy hadn't survived?

"I was thinking from the perspective of young children, they wonder how do we go from having dinner with our sister to going on a walk and then her just changing in to her pyjamas to her not being here any more?

Poppy with sisters Florence, 9, Heidi, 11 and Faith, 15.Poppy with sisters Florence, 9, Heidi, 11 and Faith, 15. (Image: VICKI EAGLE)


Recommended:

Get more content including the stories that matter to your community from The Northern Echo for just £6 for 6 months for a limited time only here.


"I thought maybe we could support families when the unexpected happens. I've met with professionals and there is a gap for this provision - we are looking now at who we want to help and what we can do."

Vicki already has plans to get donations flooding in to the charity in the form of 21 fundraising activities - and will take part in a skydive on September 21. 

To donate to Poppy's Light Foundation and find out more, click here.