A COUPLE whose twins were born six weeks prematurely are holding a charity gig to raise funds for the Special Care Baby Unit which cared for them.

Mark and Kirstie Nelson’s twins, Samuel and Ciara, were born last July at Scarborough Hospital.

“When Samuel was born he wasn’t breathing as he had mucus stuck in his throat,” Mark said.

“He had to be resuscitated and a vacuum tube was put down his throat to help him breath.

“It was a hairy situation and it was only because of the quick-thinking and actions from the special care staff that he was okay.”

Mark said because the babies were premature – each weighing less than five pounds – they were kept in the special care unit at the hospital for two weeks.

“The staff were absolutely awesome during their stay and we will always be indebted to them,” Mark said.

“The twins will be a year old in July and they are perfectly fit and healthy, so we thought it fitting to try to raise a bit of cash for the unit so they can continue to do the amazing job they do and help out more new babies and parents in the same situation that we were in.”

Mark, who runs an online guitar shop, Dangleberry Music, also plays in two bands – Chu Ma Shu and The Apathy Trio.

They, along with D-Fault, Andy Warriner and The Dangleberry, will be playing at the fundraising night on Friday, July 9 from, 7pm at Pickering Working Men’s Club.

There will also be a raffle with prizes including an acoustic guitar, beauty treatments, a family portrait and Sunday lunch for two.

Tickets are £4 on the door.

“Since we started with this idea, it’s amazing how many people locally have needed the Scarborough Special Care Baby Unit at some point, so it is probably going to help someone you know and every penny raised will go to the unit,” Mark said.

“We are just so grateful for what the staff at the unit did for us.”