More than £12,000 has been raised for a father and his newborn daughter after his wife died during childbirth.

Amanda Sheppard, from New South Wales, Australia, suffered complications after undergoing a C-section and died giving birth to Willa.

Her husband Glynn Sheppard posted a heartbreaking photo on Facebook of him cradling Willa after Amanda died.

Following her death, one of their friends, Teagan Govaars, set up a GoFundMe page to raise money to look after Willa and pay for her education.

Teagan wrote that the couple had been "filled full of happiness and excitement" to meet their first child.

She wrote: "Whilst delivering her beautiful daughter Willa, there were complications and Amanda wasn't doing so well which ended tragically with her passing away.

"This day was supposed to be one of the best and happiest days of Amanda and Glynn's lives instead Amanda has now left her beloved husband Glynn and brand new baby Willa behind.

"Times right now are hard for husband Glynn and their families and my heart is aching for them through this hard time.

"So I'm starting this GoFundMe account to raise a little money to help them out a little with whatever it may be that they need."

So far more than £12,000 has been donated to the page.

Responding to the donations, Glynn wrote on the page: Willa and I as well as all our family would like to extend sincere appreciation to all the kind and caring people in this world, I know Amanda would be proud to know that people and even complete strangers love her since she would of done the same."