COWGIRLS and boys are needed to raise money for Basildon Hospital.

Mum Lynsey Miller, 33, is holding a wild west themed day in aid of the Polly Parrot appeal for children’s services.

It’s after her eight-month-old daughter Emilie spent the first fewweeks of her life in the hospital.

Emilie was born last October, nine weeks early and weighing less than 4lbs.

She was cared for in the neonatal intensive care unit and children’s wards at the hospital for nearly five weeks.

Mrs Miller, 33, of Vange, Basildon, was not able to see her for the first hour of her life.

She said: “It was heartwrenching, but once we were taken to meet her properly we immediately realised she was in good hands. Everything was explained clearly and calmly, and there was even an apology for the blue hat she had to wear as they had run out of pink ones.”

Emilie is now thriving and Mrs Miller has returned to work part time.

She and Emilie regularly attend baby sensory – baby development classes which offer stimulating activities for infants.

The group is organising the wild-west themed fundraising event and Mrs Miller will donate the money she raises to the intensive care unit.

The event takes place on Wednesday, July 2, at Kiddicare, Lakeside.

To make a donation go to www.justgiving.com/LynseyMiller2.