TWO mums who both had babies treated in special care at Hinchingbrooke Hospital are putting on a disco for the under fives to raise money for The Hunts Post New Life Appeal. The appeal aims to raise £70,000 for maternity services at the Huntingdon hospit

TWO mums who both had babies treated in special care at Hinchingbrooke Hospital are putting on a disco for the under fives to raise money for The Hunts Post New Life Appeal.

The appeal aims to raise £70,000 for maternity services at the Huntingdon hospital, including the special care baby unit, SCBU.

Filly Liuni-Cox and Nikki Tatham, both from St Ives, are organising a charity toddlers disco.

The afternoon event will be at Slepe Hall Hotel in St Ives on Sunday, July 27 with refreshments, face-painting and a raffle.

Filly told The Hunts Post: "My son Tomas was born 10 weeks early weighing 2lbs, 15oz and he spent eight weeks in special care.

"Both Nikki and I have had premature babies so have spent many weeks in maternity and SCBU and we have both been involved in fundraising for SCBU in the last year or so.

"Nikki organised a sponsored clap and sing last year raising £1,200 and I took part in a half marathon and 10 mile midnight walk.

"We have now combined forces to host this event and hope that it will be a huge success."

Nikki's son William was born in August 2005, 13 weeks early, weighing just 2lbs 6oz and was in special care for eight weeks. Her second baby Lucy was born five weeks early in October last year but weighed 5lbs, 11oz and did not need special care.

Nikki added: "Filly and I met at a mother and baby group at Eastfield School. Special care babies have distinctive bottles and I was using the same bottle for Lucy so Filly and I realised we had both had babies in special care.

"For us the unit was certainly a life-saver because William was born so early. The staff are amazing. They are really personable - nothing is too much trouble for them, they put your needs and your baby's needs first, far beyond everything else.

"We want to support their work as much as we can."

INFORMATION: The disco will be from 3.30pm to 5.30pm at Slepe Hall Hotel, Ramsey Road, St Ives, PE27 5RB. Entry £5. Tickets from Filly on 07858 833849 or e-mail: fifi_fab@hotmail.com or Nikki on 07903 940742 or e-mail: nicolatatham@hotmail.co.uk.

To support the New Life Appeal, get in touch with The Hunts Post news team by emailing: editor@huntspost.co.uk or phone 01480 411481 or write to: New Life Appeal, The Hunts Post, 30 High Street, Huntingdon PE29 3TB.