THE grieving family of baby Leo Coombs have pledged to raise £60,000 for specialist equipment in his memory.

Leo was born prematurely at Southend Hospital on August 25 last year, but sadly died 20 days short of his first birthday.

Mum Donna, 35, was not expecting Leo to arrive until December 21, and he surprised them all by arriving four months early, weighing just 1lb 6oz.

Within four hours, he was rushed for specialist treatment to Luton and Dunstable Hospital, before being transferred to Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge.

His mum, of Victoria Road, Southend, and grandad Tim Coombs are now determined to raise the cash to provide Southend Hospital with a heart scanner specifically for using on premature babies.

Mr Coombs, 60, from Southend, said: “The scanner helps tiny babies in the very early stages.

“It will help make sure all premature babies have a fighting chance at life, like Leo.

“I personally will be doing as much fundraising as possible for the premature baby unit and want to improve care at local hospitals so in future, fewer babies have to be transferred away from home for care.

“We don’t want Leo’s death to all be in vain.

“It will be good to get something positive out of it as a lasting tribute to him and in his name.”

In his short life Leo, who leaves four brothers and sisters, battled with the MRSA superbug, a collapsed lung, had a heart operation, an eye operation, and several bowel operations in which half his bowel was removed.

Leo grew strong enough to be moved nearer to home just before Christmas, and was cared for by Southend Hospital until the end of his life.

The family are still awaiting post-mortem examination results, but understand he had an infection.

The funeral has been arranged for Tuesday, September 14, with a procession beginning from York Road at 10.40am, and a service to be held from noon at Corbets Tey Crematorium, in Upminster.

The family welcome anyone who knew or cared for Leo to help celebrate his life.

Afterwards there will be a gathering at Room 24, opposite Sealife Adventure, in Eastern Esplanade, Southend, where the family will officially launch the appeal.

The family have asked that floral tributes for the funeral are organised through Forever Flowers, in Hamlet Court Road, Westcliff. Call 01702 344011 or 213293.