A MOTHER whose baby son was born 17 weeks prematurely is raising money for the hospital which saved his life.

Doctors hope little Leo Taylor Corkin, who weighed just 650 grams when he was born at 23 weeks and five days on December 23 last year, will soon be ready to go home.

He has been cared for at the neo natal unit at Sunderland Royal Hospital and needed two operations and suffered from a blood clot, which meant he could have lost some of his toes.

His mother, Kirsty Taylor, 17, from East Herrington, has organised a charity fundraising night at Lakeside Sports and Social Club on North Moor Lane in Sunderland.

She said: “If it was not for them my son would not be alive.

“I am so grateful for everything they have done.”

The night is on Friday, May 26, from 6pm-11pm and the family is now appealing for people and businesses to donate prizes for a raffle or auction.

Miss Taylor added: “This is an amazing cause to raise funds and I am looking for prizes that can be donated. Please help support us and all of the premature babies.”

Anyone who can help can call Miss Taylor on 07415-188-27 or email sarah.taylor@nne.co.uk