AN 'It's a knockout' challenge in aid of Arrowe Park Hospital's neonatal unit will be held later this year and you can take part.

It will be held at Arrowe Country Park on Saturday July 2 from 11am to 4pm.

People can get together a team of 12 or sign up as an individual, have great time and raise money for Wirral University Teaching Hospital Trust's Tiny Stars Neonatal Appeal, competing with your team on the legendary assault course.

This will help WUTH Charity to raise £1.5million to create a new space for babies in need of neonatal care at Wirral Women and Childrens' Hospital.

Wirral Globe:

Poster for the 'It's a Knockout' fundraiser 

Participants can bring along supporters to cheer on them on as they battle it out on the larger-than-life challenges, including a selection of inflatable, foamy and entertaining games such as the Cannon Run, I'm a Celebrity and the Penultimate Penguin Challenge Final!

It's a sure fire recipe for a fun day out for everyone and all for a very worthwhile local cause.

All the money raised will go to the Tiny Stars Neonatal Appeal and help the smallest patients like Molly Fisher (pictured below aged 11 weeks), who was cared for at the unit.

Molly's mum, Kerri Fisher from Upton near Chester, said: "Molly was born by c-section in the Countess of Chester Hospital.

"She needed a ventilator to help her breathe and to administer medication, but didn't improve as quickly as they hoped, so she was taken to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at Wirral Women and Children's Hospital.

"The next day I transferred to the maternity ward there."

Wirral Globe:

"As I walked into the NICU and saw my baby for only the third time in her life, she lay surrounded by machines with wires and tubes coming from all parts of her body. She was so small and had already been through so much."

Wirral Globe:

Simon and Kerri with daughter Molly in the neonatal unit

Kerri continued: "The nurses on the unit were incredible, not just saving and keeping Molly alive but explaining everything to us and keeping us calm during such a difficult time.

"While in the care of the NICU at Wirral Women and Children's Hospital, Molly was treated for seizures, bacterial infection, viral infection, underwent a lumbar puncture, had chest x-rays, was ventilated and received fluids, electrolytes, morphine and several other treatments.

"She came through it all with the help of the amazing staff.

"We got our happy ending.

"Your support for the Tiny Stars Appeal will help other families get their happy endings too."

There are limited spaces available for teams to compete, so people can get in touch with the WUTH Charity Team and sign up now. Minimum sponsorship for a team of 12 is £500.

There is also a number of individual slots available, so book soon to avoid disappointment! It's just £35 plus £100 minimum sponsorship per individual. You must be 16 or older to take part.

If there are any local businesses, as well as fielding a team, there are other exciting sponsorship opportunities. Businesses can contact the WUTH Charity team to find out how you can raise funds for the Tiny Stars Appeal.

You can contact the WUTH Charity team by email to wuth.charity@nhs.net  by phone on 0151 482 7788 or just come along to the Charity Office at Arrowe Park Hospital, Arrowe Park Road, Wirral, CH49 5PE.