A HANDFUL of tickets remain for a one-off Black and White formal ball to raise funds for the special care baby unit (SCBU) at Hinchingbrooke Hospital.

The event, which is supported by The Hunts Post, is being organised by Teresa Hicks, a Huntingdonshire mother whose twins were born prematurely and were cared for at the unit in Huntingdon.

The ball is gathering a huge amount of interest and support, especially among parents whose children have been cared for by the staff at SCBU.

Kate Papageorgiou, 43, whose son Christopher was born 12 weeks early weighing only 3lbs, is backing the ball and is appealing for quality prizes for the auction and raffle, to be drawn at the event

All funds raised will go towards The Hunts Post New Life Appeal, which is buying new equipment to support the care of future babies treated on the unit.

Kate told of the priceless work undertaken by SCBU staff when her son was born over four years ago. She said: “The staff really couldn’t have been better towards us.

“The way they cared for Christopher and the way in which they were so inclusive towards our family made all the difference.”

Kate, of Merle Way, Cambourne, wants people to dig deep and donate quality prizes for the auction and raffle.

She said: “Without the unit I wouldn’t have had the support I needed to cope with the experience.

“Having a local SCBU is vital so that you can easily travel, on a daily basis, to give the kind of physical contact which is so important to ensure that the babies thrive.

“The SCBU needs special clothing which can easily be put on to a baby who is connected to several different medical machines at once.

“The unit also needs tiny and very delicate �needles, gastric tubes and sensitive machines to monitor the babies as well as the incubators which everyone thinks of.”

Mrs Hicks, whose twins Noah and Lily were cared for on SCBU, said the event, which includes a three-course meal and entertainment from the band Charlie & the Funk Factory, has nearly sold out.

Only 20 or so tickets (�35 each) remain, so �anyone wishing to go needs to move fast.

INFORMATION: For more information about the event at Cambridge Golf and Conference Centre, tickets or if you are able to donate prizes or offer any other support, e-mail scbuball@hotmail.co.uk