She was born weighing little more than a bag of sugar.

But baby Illiana Spence – born nine weeks early, weighing 3lb – proved a little fighter after receiving expert attention from the staff in the special care baby unit at the West Cumberland Hospital in Whitehaven.

This week, little Illiana was reunited with the staff who helped her until she was strong enough to be moved to her family home in Thornhill, near Egremont.

Her parents, Tracy and Gavin Spence, have thanked the hospital staff who looked after Illiana for five weeks last year by raising more than £4,000.

Tracy, of Thornhill, near Egremont, said: “We couldn’t fault the staff.

“During those difficult and challenging weeks that Illiana was in SCBU, the team’s dedication and hard work made it all the easier to leave our little girl in unfamiliar hands.

“We are forever grateful to them for looking after her and helping to get her home.

“Had the unit not been at the West Cumberland Hospital, Illiana would have been admitted to a different SCBU in the North East, many miles from home.

“We were very fortunate that the unit was there.’’

To show their gratitude, Tracy and Gavin decided to raise as much money as possible for SCBU.

They raised a total of £4,170.

Tracy said: “Myself, Gav and 14 of our amazing family and friends then ran the Cumbrian Run on October 2.

“For many of us this was the first run we had ever done, so it was quite a challenge.

“Danny Maudling, Mighty Boof and Warren Taylor, of Taylor’s Transport Cumbria, also supported the couple by donating money and also providing tops for us all to run in.

“Following this, Gav arranged a charity football match with his friends and funds raised were also clubbed together for the unit.

“Janice Burns and the Dog & Partridge at Sandwith kindly provided the venue and food after the game.

“We would like to thank everyone who sponsored and donated to such a worthy cause.’’