A MOTHER who gave birth to a baby weighing the same as a bag of sugar - more than three months before her due date - has launched a fundraising drive for a premature and sick infants' charity.

Sarah Parker, of Ripon, said the support she received from Bliss during the traumatic birth of her son, Luke, had inspired her to boost the charity's coffers and profile.

Ms Parker said she was discharged from hospital and told she had nothing to worry about, three days before her contractions started in 2011.

She went to Ripon Hospital for help, but was sent to her GP, where she was told she faced a 90-minute wait to see a doctor.

Knowing the birth was imminent, Ms Parker then caught a bus from the city to Harrogate, where her waters broke in the bus station.

On arrival at Harrogate District Hospital, she gave birth to Luke, weighing 2lb 2ozs, and after being told he wasn't breathing, watched medics struggling to squeeze an oxygen mask on his tiny face.

"I heard him cry and he was taken to the Special Care Baby Unit," she said.

"I was in turmoil, I was thinking he shouldn't be here yet and that he wouldn't survive, especially at the point he wasn't breathing. They later brought in a picture of him and I cried with relief, but the worry was still unreal."

Luke was transferred to hospital in Leeds, where it was found he had a hole in his heart. Following three blood transfusions he was finally allowed home about three months later.

The mother-of-three said throughout this time Bliss volunteers had been on-hand to explain Luke's situation to her in layman's terms, and had provided an invaluable service.

She said Luke was now a particularly energetic four-year-old, who is set to start school in September, and that she planned to volunteer for Bliss to help other parents with premature babies.

Ms Parker said: “I just want to give something back and help parents who are going through what we went through."

She has already raised £700 for the charity through an online auction, featuring Middlesbrough FC memorabilia, and is organising a black tie ball, with three-course dinner, auction and entertainment, at the Majestic Hotel, Harrogate, on June 4.

For details, visit Black Tie Ball for Bliss on Facebook or email fundraising4bliss@outlook.com