Teen’s bauble fundraiser for unit which saved her life as a 1lb 8oz premature baby 14 years ago

A PENKETH High School pupil has been giving something back to a cause close to her family’s hearts.

Sophie Hilditch, aged 14, spent three months on Warrington neonatal ward after being born three months premature.

The tiny tot weighed 1lb 8oz when she was welcomed to the world by parents Ivan and Sarah and in total spent the first four months of her life in hospital with a further four weeks at Liverpool Women’s hospital.

As part of a ‘Learning for life’ project at school, Sophie decided to make Christmas baubles and has now donated the £75 raised from selling them to the neonatal ward.

Proud dad Ivan, aged 44, said: “On birthdays and in December when Sophie was due, we often embarrass her telling her how touch and go it was at the start.

“It was great to go in and see so many nurses we remember from when we were there and it was an eye-opener for Sophie seeing just how small the babies on that ward are.

“I could fit her in the palm of my hand but you don’t get an idea until you see it yourself.”

Sophie was on the front of the Guardian when she was one and then again when she was seven after readers marvelled at the tiny youngster’s fighting spirit.

Ivan added: “Staff on the ward do a fantastic job.

“It’s always been a charity close to our hearts and now it’s becoming close to Sophie too.”