A MOTHER whose baby son almost died after he was born with a twisted small intestine is fundraising for the hospital unit that saved his life.

Jayden-Lee Hills seemed like a normal, healthy baby when he was born in Darlington Memorial Hospital on Friday, December 20 last year.

However, just hours after his first feed the youngster began vomiting thick, black bile.

His mother, Rebecca Wray, said it was then that doctors realised something was seriously wrong with her baby and he was transferred to a specialist neonatal unit at Leeds General Infirmary.

The 27-year-old, of Wales Street, Darlington, said: “It was horrible and so scary.

“Doctors in Darlington knew there was something wrong with him, but they couldn’t do anything there for him as there wasn’t the specialist facilities.”

Jayden-Lee stayed in hospital in Leeds for two weeks where he underwent two operations – one to fix his intestine, and another to check for any further damage.

He also spent his first Christmas and New Year at the neonatal unit while his mother stayed nearby at Eckersley House – the hospital's special home for parents of poorly children run by the charity, The Sick Children’s Trust.

“It was hard, but the staff were brilliant. They even brought toys round when it was Christmas,” said Miss Wray, a mother-of-two.

Now, having made a full recovery, his mother is organising a fundraising evening to raise money for the neonatal unit and Eckersley House.

She said: “They gave my son his life, and I want to give them something back.

“Now you wouldn’t even think he was the same baby. You wouldn’t have thought there was anything wrong with him whatsoever.

“If it wasn’t for them, he wouldn’t be here today.”

The fundraising evening will be held on Friday, August 1 at Busters, in Yarm Road, Darlington, with a disco, karaoke and charity raffle.

The event starts at 5.30pm with children allowed until 7pm. Tickets are £2.50 and can be bought in advance or on the door.

Miss Wray is appealing for donations from local businesses for the charity raffle.

To buy tickets or to donate raffle prizes, call 07961-268585.