A Birmingham dad has thanked staff on a lifesaving baby unit that cared for his wife and new-born son with a hefty donation after completing a charity fun run.

Zahid Mahmood brought in his son Harris to meet staff on the neonatal unit at Heartlands Hospital and present them with a cheque for £450 he raised thanks to the generous support of friends, family and work colleagues as he took part in the Birmingham 5K Big Fun Run last year.

Zahid said he was inspired to fundraise for the unit to give something back to staff who had cared for his family.

He said: “The neonatal unit holds a very special place in my heart. My son was born premature and taken into the neonatal unit and the support we received as a family and the dedicated care given to my son was second to none. The staff at the unit really helped us get through that difficult time and I now want to give them something back.

“I feel by doing the 5K Big Fun Run I’ve gone a little way to show the gratitude I have for the neonatal doctors and nurses. I would really like to thank them from the bottom of my heart and words cannot express how I feel about these angels on earth.”

The money raised by Zahid will go towards the purchase of specialist post-birth equipment such as incubators, heart rate monitors, heat mattresses and syringe infusion pumps to deliver medications to babies.

The Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust Charity supports the patients and staff at Solihull, Good Hope and Heartlands Hospitals as well as the Birmingham Chest Clinic.

For more information on the Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust Charity, to get involved in fundraising or to make a donation to a hospital, ward or appeal, please visit www.heartofenglandcharity.org.uk