Two mothers whose premature babies died have helped to raise thousands of pounds for this year's Lord Mayor's appeal.

Sara Brook and Michaela Mitchell say their own personal tragedies inspired them to do all they can to help boost the appeal for the Special Care Baby Units at Bradford Royal Infirmary and Airedale General.

And the pair, who both met on the unit, say it has given them hope that their children won't have died in vain

Sara, 30, who lives in Legrams Lane, lost her baby Keenan in January after he was born four months prematurely.

"He died on New Year's Eve in my partners arms after a number of problems. He nearly weighed 5lb but his condition deteriorated quickly because of bowel disease.

"I know how every parent in that situation feels. I had spent months at the unit but had to leave hospital without a baby.

Lord Mayor, Councillor Tony Miller, chose the Baby Unit Regional Parents' Society for his appeal after his own twins died 38 years ago when they were born prematurely.

Cash raised will help pay for a state-of-the-art baby scanner which will prevent premature babies having to travel to Leeds.

Sara has raised more than £200 selling Baby Unit Regional Parents Society badges and friends collected around £300 from a sponsored walk.

Michaela Mitchell's twins Abbie and Ryan were born three months early in September weighing just over 2lb.

Michaela, who lives in Harden, said: "Ryan died in February after five months on the unit. Abbie came home in December but has been back in hospital a number of times and is now doing very well."

Michaela has raised around £200 from a raffle sponsored events. And staff and children at the Piccolo nursery group, where Michaela's son Lewis attends raised more than £2,600 from a sponsored bounce.

"We're just trying to do as much as we can in memory of our own babies."

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