BABY Jake Harris, who was one of the inspirations behind The News’ Fight for Our Hospital campaign, is hoping to be home for his first birthday in July.

His mum, Joanne Long, of Egremont, is supporting our campaign having praised the West Cumberland Hospital staff. She gave birth to Jake at 26 weeks and twice his life was saved when he stopped breathing.

Following complications, he has been at Newcastle’s Royal Victoria Infirmary since last December.

She said: “Last week put a little peg into his tummy so we can feed him without a tube in his nose.

“He was also rushed to theatre and had his airways investigated,’’ she explained.

“At the moment we’re trying to feed everything into his stomach, as he was fed into his intestines for quite a while.

“Fingers crossed we’re going to be home for his first birthday. He now has his first two teeth.’’

Joanne said it has been hard being away from home for nearly five months, managing with visits from fiance, Mark Harris, 30, family and friends.

“I am in a routine here, but it will be lovely to have a normal life,’’ she said. “It has been a long road, but I can see light at the end of the tunnel.’’

Adele Graham, a friend of the family, will be doing a skydive in August for The Sick Children’s Trust’s Crawford House, which is where Joanne is staying while at Newcastle.

Local charity the Knights of Western Lakes has also offered Joanne and Mark use of a holiday home in Silloth for a break in the summer.