A FAMILY is raising money for the medics and charities who helped them through the premature birth of their twins and the subsequent heartbreaking death of their baby boy.

Dan and Vicky Dewey were ecstatic when they discovered they were having twins but, on September 9, Vicky was rushed to Southend Hospital when the babies were born after just 25 weeks.

Blaine and Thea weighed 1lb 12 and 1lb 8 respectively and sadly, Blaine lost his fight for life 14 days later.

Now the family are trying to move forward and help Thea grow stronger each day.

Dan, 39, said: “It’s been a heartbreaking experience but one we’ve been able to come through with the love and support of friends and family - it’s brought everyone a lot closer.”

The babies were due to be born on December 23 and everything seemed to be going well until Vicky was rushed to hospital after losing two pints of blood at home.

Dan said: “They told us the babies were coming and there was nothing they could do. They said they would have a better chance of survival if it was a natural birth but even then it would be only ten per cent.”

The babies were rushed to Addenbrooke’s in Cambridge to receive specialist care but while Thea began to thrive, Blaine’s condition deteriorated and he died on September 23.

Dan added: “We got to spend a couple of hours with him and I brought my two older sons to meet him so we spent time as a family and all said goodbye.”

Friends of the family have set up a fundraising page to help them with the expense of travelling to Cambridge and being out of work while Thea continues to receive treatment but Dan and Vicky, 35, of Rebels Lane, Southend, also want to fundraise for the various charities who helped them.

Dan said: “We used the support of the Sick Children’s Trust and St John’s Ambulance service who transported them to the hospital. We also want to raise money for the wards because the staff at both hospitals have been absolutely amazing. They have been so supportive and helped us at every stage. The Southend team gave our babies the best chance for survival and we want to say thank you.”