A mum is hoping to enlist 99 other people for a mass skydive in aid of Derriford’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

Kirsty Payne’s twin daughters Amelia and Summer were born 15 weeks early weighing just 1lb 10oz and 1lb 12oz respectively.

The girls spent 125 days in the NICU, and were so poorly to begin with that Kirsty could only hold them for the first time at 24 days old.

Now aged three, the girls are happy and healthy, and are due to start school in September.

The care and support the family received from neonatal staff was amazing, says Kirsty – but it was hard to have to go home each night across the Tamar to Torpoint and leave the girls in hospital. Now the 29-year-old is supporting a £2 million fund-raising campaign to improve accommodation at Derriford for parents whose babies are born prematurely.

‘The Keep Me Close appeal was set up by Tracey Stacey, who had a baby born at 23 weeks. Phoebe is now 19,’ said Kirsty.

‘The appeal is raising money to build new accommodation and better facilities for parents to be able to stay close to their babies.’

Kirsty, who did a 15,000-feet sky-dive last summer for the appeal, is now doing her best to sign 100 people up for another jump in May.

Among the 35 people who have pledged to take part so far are Kirsty’s uncle Tony Phelps and several friends from Torpoint, Callington and the wider area.

‘Anyone who is interested in taking part should contact Tracey Stacey on 01752 430202,’ said Kirsty.