A family who suffered agony as they watched their baby fight for his life are aiming to pay back those who saved him.

Stephanie and John Thompson, of Croft Terrace, Aspatria, were told in an antenatal examination that their second son would be born with a narrowing of the aorta.

When Riley was born on September 5 last year, it was found that he also had a large hole in his heart.

As a result of the reduced blood supply, he then developed necrotizing enterocolitis, a disease that affects mostly the intestine of premature infants, causing infection and inflammation which can destroy the bowel wall.

As a result, he had his large intestine removed. He also underwent surgery to repair the hole in his heart and to widen the artery.

The ordeal was a nightmare for his parents and John, 31, admitted he still cries when he thinks of what the baby went through.

“One day he went into theatre at 12.45pm. He was still there at 10pm. We had a call from the surgeon who wanted to see us. Those kinds of calls left you in panic thinking the worst.”

Riley spent a total of 43 days in intensive care and there were many moments when he was not expected to live.

“I can only describe Riley as a little Spartan. He fought every step of the way. I can’t tell you what he was like,” said John.

“He came out of surgery to repair the hole in his heart. They had been unable to close the wound because his heart was so swollen so his chest was open and he was wide awake. He was fantastic.”

The Thompsons, including big brother Tyler, six, received a wonderful early Christmas present in November when they were told they could bring the baby home.

He still has appointments on a regular basis and has two small holes in his heart. But the overwhelming news for Stephanie, 27, and John is that their baby is set to make a full recovery.

Riley was born in the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle and transferred to the Children’s Heart Unit at Freeman hospital.

“We are grateful for everything they did and we want to say thank you in some way. You are in the hospital 16 hours a day or more and they look after you,” said John.

The couple, with help from Stephanie’s sister, Tracy Maddocks, are holding a charity night to raise money for the unit next Saturday, January 14. It will be held at Aspatria Rugby Club, at 6.30pm and will include entertainment, a magician, raffles, tombola and a sweet stall.

Adult admission is £5. Children under five are free.

John and colleagues from Sellafield, where he works, are also training for the Great North Run this year. Anyone wanting to donate can find envelopes at the rugby club. The couple also intend to leave some at local shops.