THE family of a baby girl who was cared for in specialist unit have shown their gratitude to the team with a £31,000 gift.

Twins Chloe and Paige Hamer were born in the Royal Bolton Hospital on January 16, 2014.

But while Paige was able to go home to Lostock soon afterwards, Chloe was in the Neonatal unit specialist care ward for nine days.

Staff had to help get her breathing after her birth, when she weighed just 3lbs 3oz.

She suffered from jaundice and staff spent nine days watching over her day and night until she was well enough to leave.

To coincide with World Prematurity Day yesterday, the three-year-old sisters and their parents Gavin and Olivia returned to the unit with the huge donation raised after a year of fundraising.

Gavin, aged 38, said: “You don’t realise that there is a department like this until you need it.

“We were amazed by the care that the staff gave not only to Chloe but to us as parents. They taught me to be a father. We feel so privileged to have Chloe and her twin. If it wasn’t for this unit we would not be in the position we are today. We wanted to help raise funds to support the unit and families, and also to raise awareness.

“They made a fantastic difference and gave Chloe a fit and healthy start in life.”

Mr Hamer is managing director of Wigan-based retail product company G2S which chose the unit as its charity of the year.

From cake and bake sales to golf tournaments and cycling from Scotland to London, the company raised £31,000.

The cheque was presented to Esther Steel, associate director of public engagement at Bolton NHS Trust, who received it on behalf of the neonatal unit.

Unit matron Anne-Marie White said the money would go towards improvements, including a new parents’ kitchen and quiet area, refurbishing parental accommodation, and redesigning the special care baby unit.

She added: “This is a wonderful donation from a couple who really understand the needs of parents whose babies are in special care. Their efforts have been remarkable.”

The hospital marked World Prematurity Day with an event for parents and staff and further fundraising, including a tombola and raffle.

To donate to the hospital’s Special Care for Special Babies fund visit justgiving.com/campaigns/charity/bolton-nhs/scfsb.

or contact trust fundraiser Andy Lee at andy.lee@boltonft.nhs.uk or on 01204 390356.