HOLT mum Emily Rutter is set to mark her baby daughter's first birthday by cycling to Bath to raise money for the charity that supported her when she gave birth three months early.

When Miss Rutter, 31, gave birth to Essie on May 21 last year she weighed just 1lb 4oz and, during her 96-day hospital stay, the family was supported by neonatal charity Bliss.

“I only found out I was pregnant at 16 weeks, and by 28 weeks I noticed there was less movement of the baby,” said the first-time mum.

“I went to get a check up at the doctors and got sent straight to the Royal United Hospital in Bath because my placenta had stopped working.”

In the hours that followed, Miss Rutter was rushed to Southmead Hospital in Bristol for an emergency caesarean.

She added: “The doctors didn’t think Essie would survive because she had weak and underdeveloped lungs, as well as a multitude of other issues and she was unusually small for her gestation.”

After five weeks in Bristol, Essie was transferred to the Dyson Centre for Neonatal Care at the RUH where she spent a further nine weeks having four blood transfusions.

Miss Rutter said: “Bliss is where we got most of the support from. Volunteers would come and talk to parents, giving them information about babies who had early deliveries and how to cope at home.”

Along with 15 friends, all locals at Holt's Tollgate Inn, Miss Rutter will be completing the charity cycle on Sunday (May 24).

She added: “It was a hard time but the number of people who wished me well was amazing. It’s not a marathon or anything, but for unfit pub types this is my way of saying thank you.”

To donate, visit www.justgiving.com/EssieRutter