A FAMILY fun day to raise funds for premature and poorly babies looks set to have raised thousands of pounds.

The 5k walk and family fun day was organised by Colchester Miracle Babies.

Colchester dad Reece Lloyd, one of the organisers, said: “We had about 100 walkers, which, for our first event, I was really chuffed with. It went really well.

“Early indications are we have raised nearly £3,000 but we are also waiting for sponsorship money to come in.”

The event, in Colchester’s Castle Park, included the 5km circular walk starting from the bandstand.

A picnic followed and there were traditional fete games, cake, gift and craft stalls, face painting, a raffle and a bouncy castle.

Money raised will be donated to the neonatal unit at Colchester Hospital and will also be used to help the group support families through projects.

Reece joined Colchester Miracle Babies after his daughter, Rosie, who is now ten months, was born at just 29 weeks - 11 weeks before her due date.

Rosie had to be born at Colchester Hospital by emergency caesarean section and weighed just two pounds, six ounces.

Reece said: “She spent seven weeks in the neonatal unit and came home on oxygen. She is now going from strength to strength.”