A COUPLE whose child was born three months premature have helped raise more than £22,000 to thank the charity who supported them when their daughter was born.

Eva Lamb weighed just two pounds when she was born three months premature on May 16 last year.

More than 12 months on and Eva’s parents Craig Lamb and Alison Fleming, 34, were determined to give something back to all the staff at the neo natal unit at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary and the charity Simpsons Special Care Babies (SSCB), which supports the unit.

Craig, 29, said: “I think going through it, you just feel totally helpless.

“There is nothing you can do personally for your daughter, but I have to say the doctors and nurses did a fantastic job putting mine and Alison’s minds at rest.

“They encouraged us to help change Eva’s nappies and feed her, even though it was just through a tube because she was not strong enough for a bottle.

“I think we have said before that we will be forever in their debt.

“They are fantastic and we cannot thank them enough for everything they did to help Eva – and myself and Alison as well.” The couple, of Dolphingstone View, in Prestonpans, were looking forward to the birth of their child last year.

Craig said: “There were absolutely no issues at all. We had been in for the usual scans and you go in for the second scan and we found out we were having a wee girl; there were no problems at all.

“I got a phone call at work on May 15 from Alison and she was telling me she had been feeling unwell at her work.

“She called her midwife and she just suggested to call the hospital and go in for a check-up.

“I left work to go to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary and when I arrived there Alison was fine.

“We spoke to a doctor and they said they would keep her in overnight for observation.

“I left after visiting time and did not think there was any problem and went home.

“I got a phone call at about 3am from a nurse saying Alison was in labour.

“Obviously, I was in total, total panic and had to rush up to the hospital.

“By the time I arrived I was told she had given birth.

“I got led up to the room and this trolley appeared with about seven or eight doctors and nurses and that was how I met Eva for the first time.” The tiny baby was then rushed away and put on a ventilator.

Five hours later, the couple were reunited with Eva for the first time.

Eva, who is now 14 months, stayed in hospital for three months, with five weeks in the intensive care unit.

As well as suffering from breathing problems, Eva also underwent two blood transfusions in hospital.

Doctors also found bleeding on her brain, which should not cause her any long-term problems.

Proud dad Craig told the Courier that Alison was at the hospital every day from 8am to 10pm and described her as “a great mummy”.

He said: “Eva is doing absolutely fantastic now.

“With her being premature, the hospital keep in touch with us until she is about three years old.

“She goes in for various tests and checks to make sure she is growing correctly and has tests for her eyes and ears, but she is passing everything with flying colours.

“When we look back at the photographs and see her now, it’s just like a different baby; it’s just unbelievable.

“We’ve always said we were unlucky with what happened but also lucky as well.

“We got very friendly with a lot of other mums and dads who were going through the same and there were some not so fortunate at the end.” Determined to give something back to the staff at the hospital, grandad Tom Lamb, organised a charity golf event at Luffness New Golf Club, near Aberlady, last Friday.

Forty-eight golfers turned out on the day and helped to raise more than £22,000, with more than £7,000 raised on the day from an auction and raffle.

Tom said: “This was a very worrying time for all our family; however, due to the fantastic care given by the doctors and nurses in the Edinburgh Simpsons neo natal unit, I am delighted to confirm that Eva is now a bright, healthy and beautiful baby, and a joy to us all.

“We were all so grateful to those who cared for Eva during her time in hospital that we wanted to give something back by raising funds for the Simpsons Special Care Babies charity – this really is a fantastic charity which provides much-needed funding of essential equipment, and also support for families.

“Regretfully, the outcome for some of these premature babies is not a happy one.”