LOOKING at cheeky little Reggee-Lee Cole today you would never guess, exactly a year ago, the tot was battling for his life in hospital.

As the energetic toddler gears up to celebrate his first birthday on Wednesday, his mum, Mary, still proudly calls her son her “little Christmas miracle”.

That’s because Reggee-Lee pulled through against all the odds after Mary dramatically gave birth to him in the front room of her home in Norwich Walk, Basildon.

The tot was only saved thanks to the quick-thinking actions of paramedics and neighbours.

The Coles’ special Christmas story began on December 10 when Mary, 36, began having contractions at home.

As the pains became stronger Mary, then a mum-of-five, realised she wasn’t going to make it to Basildon Hospital’s maternity unit to have the baby and so she dialled 999 for an ambulance. Mary’s other children Ashley, 16, Paege, 14, Jack, 12, Harry, nine, and Cydnee, two, were in the house at the time along with her lorry driver husband Roger, 35.

Luckily, help soon arrived in the shape of paramedic Lee Cutter and crewmate Penny Smith.

Mary explained: “I realised I was going to have the baby there and then. I was begging them to take me to the hospital, but there just wasn’t time.

“Roger and the children were hiding in the kitchen they were so scared!

“But Lee and Penny talked me through it and I began pushing.”

But it was then Lee noticed the baby’s umbilical cord was caught around his neck.

Lee and Penny had to clamp the cord and cut it, so they could safely carry on with the delivery.

Before they knew it, Reggee-Lee arrived, weighing 6lb 1oz.

Mary added: “It was amazing. Lee and Penny were so calm, I couldn’t have done it without them. If Lee hadn’t noticed the cord was in the wrong place then Reggee-Lee wouldn’t be here today, I’m sure of that.”

A midwife arrived at the home shortly afterwards and newborn Reggee-Lee was deemed to be fit and well.

But the drama wasn’t over yet.

Mary said: “The following day, Reggee’s dad was feeding him and Reggee started being sick.

“A few minutes later, I held him in my arms and realised his heart had stopped beating.

“I just panicked. I couldn’t stop screaming.”

Mary’s screams alerted neighbours who came sprinting across the road to help.

One neighbour, Elizabeth Waight, managed to resuscitate Reggee-Lee before an ambulance arrived.

“Once we got to hospital he was placed in the special care baby unit and we found out Reggee had pneumonia, among other complications,” said Mary.

“He stayed in hospital for ten days and and was allowed home just in time for Christmas.

“That was really special. To have Reggee-Lee at home, safe and sound for Christmas, was the best present we could ever ask for.

“It’s remarkable to think now he’s a fit and healthy little boy and he’s about to celebrate his first birthday.

“It’s a birthday I didn’t think he’d be here for.

“I’m so grateful to everyone for what they did.

“Reggee’s birth brought a lot of people together and we’ve made lasting friendships.”

Mary was so impressed with paramedic Lee, of Chelmsford, and her neighbour Elizabeth, also of Norwich Walk, Basildon, that she asked them both to be Reggee’s godparents, an honour which they both willingly accepted.

The Lee in Reggee’s name was also Mary and Roger’s personal tribute to paramedic Lee for saving the baby’s life.

“We see each other a lot and have become really close,” said Mary.

“It goes to show, sometimes good things can come out of traumatic experiences.”