THE mother of a baby, who almost died of pneumonia on Christmas Eve, has helped raise hundreds of pounds for the hospital unit that helped save his life.

Five-week-old Jacob MacFarlane was taken to Newcastle General Hospital's children's intensive care unit on Christmas Eve with a severe case of pneumonia. Only ten per cent of one of Jacob's lungs was not infected.

He was so poorly that doctors warned he had little chance of surviving the night and his family prepared for the worst.

Jacob spent Christmas and New Year on a life-support machine, but after several weeks of treatment, he recovered, and the family enjoyed a belated Christmas together.

Following his recovery, Jacob's mother, Gemma, decided to do something to thank the hospital and staff for their help.

Mrs MacFarlane, 23, has been going to McNay Street Children's Centre in Darlington for four years and is a member of its parents' group.

She enlisted the help of the group to organise a fundraising Mothers' Day pamper session and table top sale, which raised £300 for the unit.

Mrs MacFarlane said: "It is great that we raised so much money and I am grateful to everyone.

"It was a good way to say thank you for what they did for Jacob."