Snowboarder's family launch charity

The family of a woman from Suffolk killed in a snowboarding accident in France, has set up a charity to help the young set up in business. 26-year-old Mimi Watts from Lavenham died earlier this month.

Her mother's hoping something positive can emerge from the family's tragedy.

The family of the Suffolk snowboarder tragically killed in an accident in the French Alps almost three weeks ago have today launched a charity in her memory.

Twenty six year old Emily Watts, known as Mimi, died after she was trapped in a snow drift near the ski resort of Chamnoix - she was kept alive by doctors at a French hospital but after five days her life support machine was switched off.

Now her family from Lavenham are determined that her memory will live on in the form of a charity set up to help young people start up creative businesses.

More than £1,000 has already been raised to help young people like Mimi gain a start in their careers.

Her brother Rory said today :"An organisation like a charity can outlive anyone - and supporting Mimi's memory by creating something long-lasting felt like the right thing to do."

The charity's website - here - gives full details of its aims.

A British student who suffered a horrific snowboarding accident in the French Alps has died, her family has said.

Emily Watts, known as Mimi, fell headfirst into a snowdrift and was stuck for about 45 minutes following the incident in Chamonix on Saturday.

By the time emergency crews arrived, the 26-year-old, from Lavenham in Suffolk, had suffered a cardiac arrest, prompting fears of brain damage.

Her parents, Nicky McAllister and Dominic Watts, along with her 27-year-old brother Rory, flew to France to be by her bedside.

But after a number of days on a life support machine, she died earlier today, Miss Watts' aunt Shona Pollock said.

A 26 year-old girl from Lavenham in Suffolk remains in a critical condition in France after a serious snowboarding accident.

Emily Watts, known as Mimi, fell into a snowdrift in the Alps on Saturday afternoon and is still in hospital. Under French law, it's up to the doctors to decide when to switch off her life support machine.

A 26 year-old girl from Suffolk is in a critical condition in France after a serious snowboarding accident.

Emily Watts, known as Mimi, fell into a snowdrift in the Alps on Saturday afternoon.

Under French law, it's up to the doctors to decide when to switch her life support machine off.