MUM Deborah Claridge has wanted to thank Swindon hospital staff ever since they helped her premature baby back to health in 1991.

Now, nearly 13 years later, she has decided to do a parachute jump to raise money for the special care baby unit at Great Western Hospital.

Mrs Claridge, 46, of Lydiard Millicent, was featured in the Evening Advertiser in April 1992 with her one-year-old daughter Victoria. Now 12, Victoria was born 13 weeks premature weighing less than three pounds.

At one point her weight slipped to two pounds the equivalent of a bag of sugar and in her first few weeks she had five blood transfusions.

It was touch-and-go whether she would survive, but she did, and Mrs Claridge vowed then that one day she would say thank you properly.

She is set to jump in Cirencester at the end of February, although a date has yet to be confirmed, and she has already raised nearly £400.

"I have decided I'm getting older so if it's going to be done it has to be done now," said Mrs Claridge. I have always wanted to do this and I'm a bit of a daredevil so I think I'll enjoy it."

Anyone who would like to sponsor her can call 01793 771670.