A young mum whose world stopped when her baby fell seriously ill after being born prematurely is raising money for the two hospitals that pulled him through. 

Lauren Robinson, 29, from Weymouth, is organising a fundraising afternoon at Redlands Community Sports Hub next month to raise funds for Ronald McDonald House and Dorset County Hospital (DCH) who looked after her son Jaxson during his first weeks of life. 

Jaxson, who is now 16 months old, was born three months early in DCH in June last year. 

He quickly became ill suffering a bleed to his brain, and was rushed to Princess Anne Hospital in Southampton.

It was there that Lauren discovered Ronald McDonald House, a charity situated nearby providing free ‘home away from home’ accommodation to families while their child is in hospital.

Lauren said that having somewhere to stay close to a seriously ill child makes all the difference ion the world.

She said: “All they ask for is a £25 deposit which you can get back at the end if you want to, and then the rest of your stay is free. I stayed with them for five weeks. 

“They have lovely rooms and all the facilities where you can cook and clean and it’s all charity run.

“If it wasn’t there I don’t know what I would have done, he was so poorly. Your world stops while everyone else’s world carries on around you. 

“It’s very scary when you have a baby and you see them there with wires and monitors on. 

“He still has chronic lung disease and shows signs of asthma. Last time we were around a dog we ended up in A&E, but it is getting better.”

Lauren said that when they left Southampton, Jaxson had to spend another nine weeks inside the special baby unit in DCH. 

She added: “Their nurses are second to none, they always have the time to sit and have a chat with me. 

“I have also made friends with other mums at DCH who went through the same thing, and they have been a support network.

“Without the two hospitals, I don’t think Jaxson would be here today.”

The fundraising event will be held on Saturday, November 18, from 12pm until 3pm at the Hub.

There will be a bouncy castle, diddy cars, face painting by local McDonalds drive-thru staff, a cake sale and more.

Lauren says all funds raised will be split equally between the two charities.