A YORK family have raised more than £5,000 for the unit that looked after their premature son.

Joe and Sarah Woof, of Acomb, rallied family and friends in their fundraising efforts for York Hospital's Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU).

Their son Oliver was born in July 2017, seven weeks early, weighing 4lb 2oz. He spent the first month of his life in the unit.

Joe said: "During that first month the SCBU team were an invaluable source of support for Oliver, Sarah and myself.

"The team were by our side throughout what was a very emotional and challenging time."

Joe and his pals took part in the Yorkshire Three Peaks challenge and a charity football match against a group of friends from Wales, helping them on their way to a total of £5,155.50.

Joe said: "We have also received support from two employers of members of the group, DNM Engineering and Aviva, both of whom have provided £500 each towards our fundraising, which is incredible.

"We never viewed parenthood as a right, it is a privilege and our experience in SCBU only strengthened this view.

"We will be forever grateful to the team. There are so many families out there who are not as fortunate as we are."

On Sunday, June 24, Joe and Sarah hosted a cheque presentation at The Homestead in Clifton, so that family and friends could meet staff and four trustees, Trish Horner, Emma Keef, Jo Rushworth and Ali Thompson, from the support group charity.

Vice chair Judith Hills said: "As a member of staff working on York SCBU and also a Trustee of the support group it has been fantastic to follow all that this team has done to raise such an amazing amount of money for us.

"It is a privilege to look after families like the Woofs and the money raised means that we can provide not just the large items of equipment that are vital, but the smaller things to make a stay on the unit more comfortable."

The unit relies heavily on its support group, which helps it continue to provide care and treatment for premature and sick newborn babies.

This includes the purchase of specialised medical equipment, improving amenities, providing emotional and financial support for the families of the babies in its care and supporting education and vocational training for staff.