MORE than £10,000 has been raised for a piece of lifesaving medical equipment – with £6,000 raised in one day.

The £6,000 sum was raised at Freddie’s Fundraiser, which took place at the Marquis of Granby in Weymouth.

The event, which included a variety of activities, was organised to help provide a new cooling jacket for Princess Anne Hospital in Southampton.

This sum, added to money already collected, means over £10,000 has been raised for a cooling jacket worth £15,000.

Gemma Baker and Ashley Miners organised the event after the same piece of equipment saved their son’s life.

The hospital’s neonatal unit wrapped their son Freddie in the jacket after he was distressed at birth and suffered from a febrile fit.

The jacket reduced his body temperature and the risk of brain damage.

He has not had another fit since.

Speaking after the event, Gemma said: “I have still got money coming in. I have got £10,000 altogether. I’m still hoping to reach that £15,000 target.”

The day’s events included a barbecue, cake and craft stalls, a bouncy castle and children’s activities.

A raffle also took place with prizes including a helicopter ride and a private golf lesson.

Gemma said: “The weather was absolutely perfect. I couldn’t believe how many people turned up.

“I had lots of people coming up to me on the day saying how fantastic it was.

“They were encouraging me to make it an annual event. I had lots of positive feedback which was really encouraging.”

Prior to the fundraiser a sponsored spin also took place at Weymouth Community Sports Hub, raising £2,500.

Nearly 20 cyclists tackled various lengths of spinning where a static bicycle was pedalled.

Princess Anne Hospital’s Neonatal Unit is currently saving towards another jacket, a fund which Gemma hopes they can contribute towards.

A cooling jacket is used to prevent later damage when a baby is suffering a lack of oxygen.

The baby is wrapped in the jacket within hours of birth for 72 hours to reduce its temperature to around 33.5C.

The jacket helps to stop a series of complicated chemical reactions in the brain which can go on to cause cell damage.

If you would like to donate you can send money into the PayPal account attached to freddiesfundraiser@outlook.com