A GROUP of mothers whose lives have all been touched by a Banbury children’s unit are gearing up to raise cash to say thanks.

The women, who call themselves Party Mums, will host a halloween party for under fives at soft play centre Rugrats and Half Pints, in Beaumont Road, Banbury, on Sunday, October 31. The proceeds will be donated to the Horton Hospital’s special care baby unit and the mums hope the event will be the first of many.

One of the organisers Charlotte Gunn, 25, has a very personal reason for helping to organize the event. Her seven-month-old daughter Lynnette was cared for by the unit for the first two weeks of her life after she was born six weeks early.

At the same time, her sister Sophie, 17 months, was on the Oxford Road hospital’s children’s ward being treated for severe dehydration and a low immune response after falling ill.

Mrs Gunn, of Fraser Close, Banbury, said: “I was heavily pregnant, rushing between the hospital, finishing a degree and working. My waters broke early and Lynnette was born two days later.

“Her heartbeat kept dropping when I had a contraction and she was born by emergency C-section. She had to be resuscitated because she was so early.

“Lynnette was in special care for two weeks, she had jaundice and problems breathing, she was 4lb 1oz when she was born.

“It’s such a small unit and the nurses work so hard. They deal not only with sick babies but emotional and hysterical mums as well.

“They looked after Nettie fabulously and I can’t praise them enough.”

Rugrats and Half Pints will close the entire centre to host the party, from 3 to 5pm, and donate 50 per cent of entry fees to the special care baby unit.

Tickets are priced at £4 per child, which also includes entrance for two adults.

Anyone interested in donating a raffle prize or items for a nearly new toy stall should call Mrs Gunn on 07788 438810 or email charlotte20422003@ hotmail.com