Birthday donation for neonatal unit

The twins' mother, Sallyan (corr) said: "Both girls had to be ventilated straight away. I was able to hold Emily for the first time two days after she was born, but Carys wasn't stable enough for 10 days."

Both girls needed resuscitating several times while in the unit, and Carys was diagnosed with chronic lung disease.

Since going home, both girls have gone from strength to strength.

Sallyan added: "It has been a hard couple of years, and a real roller coaster of emotions but the girls are now like any other child their age.

"We are very fortunate considering their start in life, however the outcome could have been very different if it wasn't for Emily and Carys' determination to survive and the excellent skill and professional care of all the NICU staff at St. Peter's.

"It is for this reason that we have raised money for the Early Births Fund, a charity set-up to raise money for specialist equipment and care for the neo-natal unit at St Peter's Hospital."

The girls' cousin Gabriella McErlain spent the last six months making bookmarks and cards for her friends and family to buy, and with the held of her father, managed to raise £440 for the unit.