SOME of the most vulnerable babies in the county will receive world-class care in Oxford thanks to the fundraising efforts of a Blackbird Leys family.

In December 2015, the family of Mary McBlain was devastated when the mother-of-two died suddenly aged 35, just two weeks before Christmas.

A charity fun day in her memory last November was attended by hundreds of people and raised almost £2,300 for the Special Care Baby Unit at the John Radcliffe Hospital.

Mary's mother Sandra, 56, of Blay Close, said: "It was fantastic, and a great testament to my daughter.

"We were looking to raise £1,000 so to more than double our fundraising target was really overwhelming for us."

The event at Florence Park Community Centre included face painting, competitions, raffles and bowling and followed a previous charity darts competition held by the family.

On Wednesday, January 18 family members handed over a cheque for £2,278.21 to the unit, which looks after premature and sick babies in need of intensive care.

Alongside general running costs the money is set to be spent on providing small lights that can be used in the theatre during surgery.

The McBlains have been invited to take a tour of the Special Care Baby Unit in the coming weeks

Mrs McBlain said: "Operating on a tiny baby is quite a delicate process and they have specialist headlights they want to use.

"Mary had lost a child a few years ago and also my son lost a child, so it's something that has touched our hearts.

"You couldn't fault the staff there and the support they showed, and help with arrangements for burials, was brilliant. We wanted to give something back."

Following their triumph the McBlains are already gearing up for another event, likely to take place in mid-June to mark what would have been Mary's birthday on June 14.

A barbecue, donkey rides and bouncy castle in Florence Park are on the cards, with donations already flooding in from local businesses.

The McBlains are now deciding which section of Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust's charitable funds to raise for.

OUH spokesman Joseph Baker said: "We are immensely proud and thankful to Sandra and her family for their dedication and passion in fundraising such a large amount for our Special Care Baby Unit in memory of Mary."