WHEN mum-to-be Lesley Wardle developed the life threatening condition pre-eclampsia her baby was induced three months prematurely.

Luckily both mum and baby, Charlotte, survived, and for eight years since that fateful day Lesley has thrown herself into helping a top baby charity.

The Pennington group manager who spends 10 to 15 hours a week working for The Birth of Hope Appeal for Tommy's has helped to raise thousands of pounds for research into premature birth, still birth and miscarriage.

Founder of the Leigh branch of the charity, her next event will be a fashion show at Bolton School Arts Centre on Thursday, May 22, from 7.30pm.

No alternative

Lesley, of Townson Drive, said: "I developed pre-eclampsia so severely we could have both been lost, so there was no alternative but to deliver early at Warrington Infirmary,

"Charlotte weighed 2lb 11oz and we were so lucky she was perfect in every way. Another girl in at the same time lost her baby and I felt so guilty.

"My husband's company BNFL raised funds for a monitor for the hospital, but I decided I wanted to something long term and asked my health visitor if she knew of a charity, and she suggested Tommy's.

"I decided to organise coffee mornings and set up a Leigh branch. Now I work as a PR for the charity and have done interviews on radio and TV, as well as organising balls in Manchester and Liverpool which raised £25,000 last year.

"Leigh MP Andy Burnham who attended the Manchester one has been a great supporter.

"Last year a research centre was built at St Mary's Hospital in Manchester and we hope to raise £25,000 this year towards the £1m needed over the next five years.

"Last year two Leigh schools St Thomas' Bedford and The Twelve Apostles raised funds for us and I'd love to hear from anyone else who would like to help in any way."

Tickets for the fashion show cost £3.50 and include a glass of wine and table chocolates and are available from Lesley on 07973 875505 or 01942 515075 or by post at Tommy's, the baby charity, 2, Townson Drive, Pennington, Leigh, WN7 3NJ. All cheques should be made payable to Tommy's, the baby charity.