A YOUNG mother whose family tragedy prompted the launch of The Press’s Stamp Out Poverty campaign a year ago says she believes others continue to live in similar circumstances.

Kia Stone’s 11-month-old baby, Telan Carlton, died after spending all her life in a damp and overcrowded flat in York.

Telan died of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) – which Kia believes was contributed to by the conditions of the one-bedroom flat in Chapelfields where her family of four was living.

Since the tragedy, Kia has been moved with her son into a larger council house in Clifton.

However, she has said she still knows of people living in similar circumstances.

“It is still hard, nothing seems different,” Kia said. “I still think it seems just as bad. People are still in my situation living in properties that are inadequate for them. One of my friends has got damp and mould and she has a new baby and other children.

“All they are told is to keep the windows open, which is all well and good in summer.

“People need to keep asking for help. I don’t want anyone to go through what I have.”

Telan died on October 6, 2012 after her mother found her limp and lifeless in her cot.

An inquest found she had died of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.

Following Telan’s inquest, Steve Waddington, the council’s assistant director for housing, expressed the council’s sympathies.

A council spokesman said it was contending with the economic climate, high housing costs and increased demand as well as the impact of changes and cuts to benefit and housing allowance. He said it operated within national guidelines.

City of York Council has said the flat was initially allocated to Ms Stone and one child and that it offered advice on reducing condensation.