Baby care funds are totting up

LITTLE miracles . . . Leanne with the twins who were born three months early

A KIND-HEARTED couple have launched a fresh appeal for a £15,000 incubator at the Royal Oldham Hospital after their premature twins received vital treatment there.

David and Leanne Royle originally set up a fundraising campaign more than a year ago but are yet to hit their target.

So far, just over £5,300 has been raised for the life-saving equipment - a neonatal ICU incubator for the hospital's Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).

Twins Evie and Noah were born three months early at Tameside Hospital on August 5, 2015, but were transferred to Oldham the next day due to a shortage of incubators.

They spent their first five critical weeks in Oldham. They were then moved to Calderdale Hospital for another four weeks, as the family now lives in Slaithwaite, West Yorkshire.

David said: "If it wasn't for the incubator Evie and Noah wouldn't have survived."

Now 18 months on, Evie weighs 18lb 6oz while her brother Noah comes in at 19lb 15oz - more than seven times their birth weight.

David added: "They are both still attending paediatrician appointments but these are routine for all premature babies. While they are not yet walking unaided, they are both cruising furniture and causing lots of mischief.

"Due to my change in job role, Leanne returning to work part-time, Evie and Noah getting more active and the winter months reducing what we could do, the fundraising has unfortunately declined over the last six months."

The couple extended their thanks to everyone who has helped fundraise to date and supported their campaign "Life and Comfort" ­- the meaning of the twins' names.

As part of their renewed efforts to boost funds the family will complete a Life and Comfort beer walk in May for the second consecutive year. They will also organise another zumbathon and have plans to arrange a charity football match and golf tournament.

Charitable fundraising co-ordinator Shelley Owen of Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trusts said: "On behalf of the trust, may I thank David and Leanne for supporting the hospital in this special way.

To donate visit www.justgiving.com/David-Royle3.