SERIOUSLY-ILL babies are set to benefit from vital newequipment thanks to a generous donation of more than £200 from a residents’ association.

Churchview Residents’ Association, in Laindon, held a fun day, complete with stalls, raffles and games to raise hundreds of pounds for Basildon Hospital.

The cash will be used to pay for special monitors to check the breathing of newborns in the neonatal intensive care unit.

Linda Cameron, chairman of the residents association, said: “We run a few events throughout the year because it’s a great way to bring people together and raise money for charity.

“We usually give the proceeds to children’s charities, as there are so many families on the estate. We decided to give half of what we raised to the baby unit at Basildon Hospital.”

Mrs Cameron visited the hospital with Tina White, treasurer of the association, and Terry Webb, community development officer from Swan Housing Association.

Tracey Glester, matron of the unit, said: “The money will be used to buy more apnoea alarms.

“These are used to check the breathing of infants who don’t need to be on other monitors.

“We really appreciate kind gestures like these which support the work we do caring for our young patients.”

Churchview Residents’ Association aims to boost morale and encourage people on the estate to have pride in the area.