Adam Gretton A Thetford couple are on course to raise more than £2,000 for a specialist baby unit after completing a charity walk.

Adam Gretton

A Thetford couple are on course to raise more than £2,000 for a specialist baby unit after completing a charity walk.

Paul Carter and his fiancée Amy Allen embarked on the 30 mile trek from their home in Celia Phillips Close to the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital on Tuesday to thank the nurses and health professionals who helped their son after his premature birth.

Little Ryan Carter was born three months early on May 28 weighing only 2lb 2oz and spent the first 63 days of his life in intensive care.

The couple, whose firstborn came home earlier this month, set off from Thetford at 6am on Tuesday and arrived at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital at about 8pm.

They were accompanied by friends Nicholas Sorrell, Paul Plant, Sarah Dowson, Kathy Chappers, and Sam Trayton. Police Community Support Officer Natasha Donnelly from the Thetford Safer Neighbourhood Team helped out on her day off to provide a police escort and refreshments to the walkers.

Mr Carter said the last few miles were “absolutely gruelling”, but the walkers had already raised £1,800 for new equipment for the neonatal intensive care unit and premature baby charity Bliss. He added that the couple hoped to collect more than £2,000 by September 19.