A group of children living in the same street have discovered an exceptional bond.

At birth they all need a little extra help and were treated at Colchester General's Special Baby care unit.

Now they have decided to thank the life-saving medical facility by raising money for it.

With the help of their mums all the children, from Penrice Close, Greenstead, are holding a fun-day on bank holiday Monday.

Mum Hilary Clarke, 49, could not wait to help - the special baby care unit had been there for her on two occasions.

First it was on stand-by eight years ago when she gave birth to 28-week-old twin girls. Unfortunately they died after 20 minutes, before being transferred to the unit.

Four years later Mrs Clarke gave birth to Poppy who spent two days in special care because she was a large baby.

By co-incidence Mrs Clarke's god-daughter Stephanie Moore, 11, also of Penrice Close, had been in special care for a blood transfusion.

Mrs Clarke said: "Stephanie was talking to the other children about being in special care and they decided they wanted to raise money for it. It's all just snowballed really and we have had a lot of support from neighbours. It's good for the children to be helping other people."

Others involved in the project are special care baby Rachel Howard, five, 11-year-old Sky Bretton's whose brother Jake, nine, was treated at the unit and mum Barbara McIntrye whose baby Molly who was treated there for a collapsed lung.

The fun day will be held at the Forest Road meeting hall from 10.30am to 5pm on bank holiday Monday, August 30. Activities will include, face painting, a raffle, bouncy castle and applebobbing.

It is open to all youngsters and admission is free, but there will be a small charge for some of the activities.

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