ROCKINGHORSE children’s charity has launched an appeal to help treat premature babies at the Trevor Mann Baby Unit.

The unit is at the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton and provides intensive care for sick and premature babies.

It is named after Dr Trevor Mann, founder of Rockinghorse children’s charity, who was intrinsic to paediatric care in Sussex and a consultant on the unit for many years.

A vital supporter of the specialist neonatal unit, the charity already received phenomenal support for the appeal during the festive period.

They raised nearly £25,000 towards the project from Christmas donations but still has a way to go to fully fund the equipment.

The charity needs to raise more than £100,000 to deliver the new X-ray imaging machine.

The machine will provide staff at the unit with an instant X-ray image, allowing immediate modification of lines and tubes on a premature baby.

Money raised from the appeal will significantly improve the overall experience of a preterm infant who typically requires multiple X-rays to be taken during their admission.

Louise Bartha, appeals and trusts fundraising manager, said: “More than 550 babies a year are admitted to the unit and it is not uncommon for a baby to require up to 30 X-rays during their stay on the unit.

“The new digital imaging system which we are fundraising for would completely change the way in which staff at the unit can treat their tiny patients.

“With the help of our supporters, we’d love to make this possible.”

Philip Amess, a consultant at the unit, said: “Last year we performed over 1,700 X-ray examinations on the unit which in many situations remains the best option for guiding our treatments.

“The new digital X-ray machine we would love to have on the unit has numerous advantages and benefits; the main being the immediate processing of an X-ray at the cot side.

“Our aim on the unit is always to provide the very best patient care to the best of our abilities, and with the help of Rockinghorse and their supporters we can continue this standard for many years to come.”

To support the appeal, text ROCK00 to 70070 to donate £2, £5, or £10, or visit www.rockinghorse.org.uk to make a donation online.

Best-known as the official fundraising arm of the Royal Alexandra Children’s Hospital in Brighton, the charity launched its Sussex Giving For Sussex Children 50th anniversary appeal last year. During 2017 it raised £500,000.