Family and friends of Aspatria baby Riley Thompson have raised nearly £3,000 for the Children’s Heart Unit Fund at Newcastle’s Freeman Hospital.

Parents John and Stephanie held a charity night at the Aspatria Rugby Club on Saturday to say thank you for the treatment Riley has had.

Riley, born on September 5, has had serious health problems including a narrowing of the main artery pumping blood around his body and a large hole in his heart.

He also developed necrotising entercolitis, a devastating disease that affects mostly the intestines in premature infants.

His life hung in the balance on several occasions but his family were able to bring him home in November.

John said he was delighted with the outcome of the evening which raised a total of £2,780 with more to come.

He has now set his sights on doing the Great North Run to raise more money for the unit that did so much for his baby son and for the whole family.