THE pain of an "indescribable" separation of a mother and her newborn has seen one family launch a hospital fundraising mission.

Alfie Jack Simpson was born six weeks prematurely at Furness General Hospital and he was quickly whisked away to Royal Lancaster Infirmary.

Mum Jill, of High Farm, Arrad Foot, had to stay in hospital in Barrow while her son was being cared for almost 50 miles away.

She said: "It was indescribable to be apart. Unless you've been in that situation you can't know how it feels being away from your baby like that.

"They took him away in an ambulance and he spent three or four days there. My husband stayed in Lancaster with him and it was just something we had to do.

"Eventually they brought him back and he spent seven weeks in Barrow before he was finally discharged and we could bring him home."

Alfie is now 14 months old and his proud family are hosting a charity night on their farm tomorrow night to raise funds for the special baby care unit at FGH.

Mrs Simpson said: "Since then we've wanted to give something back because without them Alfie wouldn't be here today.

"The staff in both Lancaster and FGH were fantastic. We've already done a little charity event for Lancaster on my dad's 70th birthday. We had a dance in the village hall where we managed to raise about £1,200."

As part of the night, the family will host a barn dance, disco and raffle, as well as a charity auction.

Mrs Simpson said: "We've been to all our customers and all the ones in Ulverston that we know have been so generous. They've donated some great things and we're going to do a live auction on the night."