Up to 400 premature babies cared for each year at Mayday Hospital's Special Care Baby Unit, could benefit from much-needed equipment donated last week.

The £2,000 syringe driver, which gently pumps fluids or medications into a tiny baby's delicate veins or arteries, was presented to the unit on Friday, August 16, by premature baby charity BLISS, courtesy of fund distributors the Metropolitan Hospital-Sunday Fund.

Besides its intricate design the equipment is also portable, which means when babies are being transported between departments and hospitals treatment can continue without disruption.

BLISS chief executive Bengie Walden, said: "This is important new equipment which will help the staff at Mayday's Special Care Baby Unit continue their marvellous work with sick babies."

Director of midwifery services Paulette Lewis, said the machine was a very much appreciated addition to a highly skilled and high-tech unit.

She said: "We are delighted to receive the equipment, which is going to make quite a difference to the premature babies in Croydon.

"We care for a lot of premature babies in the neonatal unit, some as early as 23 or 24 weeks.

"They require a lot of intensive care, which involves some very expensive machines.

"These kinds of donations are very much appreciated and will enhance our expertise here at Mayday."

The charity, founded in 1979 and based near Vauxhall, aims to give every baby an equal start in life by donating life-saving equipment to neonatal units nation-wide.

It also sponsors nurse training; funds research and awareness raising exercises; and supports parents and families of special care babies.