GRATEFUL parents who had to rush their newborn son to hospital for lifesaving surgery have thanked the charity which helped them stay by their little fighter's side.

Mark and Poppy Dean, from Walton, experienced every parents' nightmare when their son David was whisked off to The Rosie Hospital, Cambridge, at just a few hours old.

Born at Colchester General Hospital, David experienced a number of seizures and it quickly became apparent he needed immediate, specialist medical attention.

For five days, David fought for his life on the neonatal intensive care unit at Cambridge, before his transfer back to Colchester.

He was taken home for the first time at just a week old.

During his treatment in Cambridge, the couple were given free accommodation at Chestnut House, run by The Sick Children's Trust.

Now the relieved parents are giving something back, raising £6,000 and sharing their story at an annual carol service for the trust.

Mark said: "Without the trust, the already overwhelming circumstances would have been a lot worse.

"We had only been with David for a few hours before he was taken away from us.

"It had been a difficult birth and Poppy needed care herself, so it wasn’t until the following morning that we were able to be with David.

It was an incredibly worrying time as nobody knew what was causing the seizures and what was wrong.

"It felt like our whole world had been turned upside.

"Everything was just so unexpected.

"But in the midst of all the chaos and uncertainty, The Sick Children’s Trust held out a hand and gave us a place to stay, which was just minutes from our son’s side."

The family will take centre stage at the trust's Christmas carol service, where they will share their story with supporters.

Poppy added: “After arriving at David’s bedside in intensive care, a nurse handed us a key to a room at Chestnut House.

"From that moment it felt as if a weight had been lifted from our shoulders, now all our focus could be on David without the added worry of how we’d make it to the hospital each day or having to pay out for a hotel.

"We had no idea how long David would need treatment for, but we were told the trust would be there for us.

"It was amazing to have somewhere so comfortable to stay, and neither of us can thank the charity enough.

"Each and every donation is gratefully appreciated and means families can be close to their children.”

Held at Marylebone Parish Church, in London, at 6.30pm on Wednesday, December 12, the family will join celebrity guests including Alan Carr, Ben Aldridge, Jon Richardson and Emma Fielding.

To book tickets, call 020 7638 4066.