THE News Shopper is launching a campaign to raise money for the special care baby unit at Darent Valley Hospital.

The unit, which looks after 320 premature babies every year, is appealing for £25,000 to update equipment which is around 10 to 15 years old.

Much-needed equipment includes a ventilator to help babies with their breathing and a cardiac monitor to check a baby's heart beat.

The equipment will help to look after babies who have a range of problems when they are born early including breathing difficulties, jaundice, infections and oxygen dependency.

One of the sisters in charge of the unit, Althea Herry, said: "We really need this equipment because most of our machines are between 10 and 15 years old.

"Without the equipment, many premature babies would die every year. It would be great if News Shopper could donate money towards this appeal."

Twins Sophie and James Clarke were born 32 weeks premature at Darent Valley on January 3. They are now being cared for in the special care baby unit. Their mother Karen Clarke, 35, of Hastead Close, Greenhithe, said: "The equipment is vital for the babies in the unit.

"Both of them were put in incubators in the unit and Sophie, who was born jaundiced, was helped by the photo-therapy unit which acts as a kind of sunbed.

"They are now very healthy and in cots which is all thanks to the unit we owe them so much."

She added: "I would like to appeal to the people of Dartford and Gravesham to raise money for new equipment."

Dartford MP, Dr Howard Stoate said: "It's a brilliant idea and I am very much behind it.

"It is a great opportunity for local businesses and individuals to contribute towards their local health service."

The unit also needs a nasal c-pap monitor to help with babies with less serious breathing problems, a photo-therapy unit to deal with children who have jaundice, four infusion pumps which are feeding tubes and six breast pumps to give babies their mother's milk.

If you would like to help the special care baby unit, write cheques to the Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust, c/0 News Shopper, Mega House, Crest View Drive, Petts Wood, Kent BR5 1BT.