HUNDREDS of people who owe their families to the Trevor Mann baby unit gathered outside the hospital on Sunday to raise money for the ward.

Now in it’s ninth year, the Push For Prems fundraiser was described as its biggest ever, with parents across the county heading down for the walk.

One of the mums taking part was Jess Barnes from Brighton who gave birth to twins Flynn and Jacob in 2016 at just 24 weeks.

She said: “Sadly we lost our little boy Jacob during childbirth. But thanks to the amazing work of the Trevor Mann baby unit, we have our wonderful son Flynn with us today.”

The Trevor Mann baby unit cares for about 600 premature or critically ill babies every year. Push for Prems has raised more than £70,000 for the ward and affiliated charities.

The event was started in 2009 by Catherine Demir from Hastings.

She said: “My son Ciwan was at the unit for five months. He he a double hernia operation and laser eye surgery which saved his eyesight. During our time inside the unit I got pally with the others and so we came together to give something back.”

Dave and Sophie Stone from Burgess Hill were brought to the unit with their son Alfie after he was born at 26 weeks. Sophie said: “We’re here raising money to give something back. They gave us everything as without them, Alfie just wouldn’t be here.”

The group walked to Hove Lawns collecting donations and speaking to passersby about the work of the unit.

After reaching the seafront, the group let go of six balloons in remembrance of the babies that “didn’t get to go home”.

Jess Barnes was on the seafront with her son Flynn to let go of the balloon go in honor of his twin.

Jess said: “It’s such an important part of the day.

“We lost him two years ago and having his name publicly honoured is so important to us.”

The 2018 event has already raised more than £4,000 but donations are still coming in.

A Just Giving page has also been set up.

If you would also like to donate visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/pushforprems2018.