A MUM-OF-FIVE is thanking a charity that helped save her premature baby’s life.

After her waters broke at almost 23 weeks, terrified mum Rebecca Mcaleavy was rushed to the Cumberland Infirmary, but later transferred to Newcastle Royal Victoria Infirmary.

The 31-year-old then experienced an agonising wait while doctors tried to save her baby, Keeva-Rose, by keeping her in the womb for as long as possible.

Her tiny miracle was born six weeks later weighing just 2lb 9oz, which is less than a bag of oranges, after Rebecca had “a massive bleed” that suggested her placenta was detaching.

At just 29 weeks old, Keeva-Rose came into the world on March 9 2019, and was kept on full ventilation for the first 48 hours of her life.

After going through “the scariest time” of their lives, Whitehaven parents Rebecca and her husband Kevin are overjoyed to say that their baby is now happy and healthy, and is “bouncing through life”.

“The doctors and nurses at Newcastle RVI were just absolutely fantastic – they saved our baby’s life,” Rebecca said.

Charity Tiny Lives supports the Newcastle RVI, and cares for over 800 premature babies and their parents.

And although Rebecca and Kevin believe they “will forever feel in Tiny Lives’ debt”, that isn’t stopping the grateful mum from trying to give back to them.

On World Prematurity Day, November 17, Rebecca will begin her list of fundraising challenges by scaling Scafell Pike – a feat she would never have wanted to face before.

“It’s daunting and scary, but I’m looking forward to doing it,” she said.

“I initially wanted to do a skydive, but I’m definitely not ready for that!”

She continued, explaining why she has chosen to raise money for Tiny Lives: “They were just so great for the family.

“They give out ‘family packs’, which included things like hand-cream and water – essentials that you don’t really have time to think about.

“We were still in hospital for Mother’s Day, and they gave us flowers and gifts, and it was lovely. I’d just love to give something back to them now.”

Rebecca will be joined by sister Toni Robertson, who has “never even walked to the shops before, never mind anywhere else!”, brother-in-law Scott Robertson, her Center Parcs colleagues Lesley McWalter and Nicola Wylie, and husband Kevin’s nieces Nicola Schofield and Lorraine Mcalpine.

To sponsor the group and help raise money for an amazing cause, visit Rebecca’s fundraising page at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/rebecca-colaluca.