A GROUP of kind-hearted toddlers from Holmes Chapel have taken on a sponsored walk for a Cheshire-based neonatal unit.

On Monday, May 16, Holmes Chapel playgroup 'Bumps, Babes and Toddlers' embarked upon a one mile long sponsored walk in support of Mid Cheshire Hospitals Charity 'One In Eleven' fund.

More than 20 children toddled their way around Brereton Heath Country Park with encouragement from adult companions, and the group is looking forward to confirming the final fundraising figure.

'Bumps, Babes and Toddlers', which is based at Holmes Chapel Methodist Church, raises funds each year for a chosen charity through community events such as its annual sponsored walk.

For 2016, the group will support Mid Cheshire Hospitals Charity’s One in Eleven Fund, which aims to generate essential funds to enhance the care for babies born prematurely, underweight or with other complications.

Each year, approximately 3,000 babies are born at hospitals in the Mid Cheshire area, with one in 11 needing additional, specialised support.

Many of the children who took part in the sponsored walk were born at Leighton Hospital, which is supported by the 'One In Eleven' fund, so the cause is close to the hearts of parents and volunteers at Bumps, Babes and Toddlers.

Bumps, Babes and Toddlers meets every Monday morning during term, as it has done for more than 20 years.

Jayne Guest, chair of Bumps, Babes and Toddlers, said: "We felt that the One in Eleven Fund was the perfect charity for us to support.

"Many of our tots were born at Leighton Hospital and with us all having young children, this is a cause close to our hearts."

"Each year, come rain or shine, our tots and their grown-ups embark on a sponsored toddle around Brereton Heath. We have a lovely morning and raise lots of money through sponsorship for charity."

Laura Riddle, charity manager at Mid Cheshire Hospitals Charity, added: "I’d like to thank Bumps, Babes and Toddlers for choosing to support the One In Eleven Fund with this year’s sponsored walk. I was really taken aback by the efforts put in by the group, and it was lovely to see little ones enjoying themselves too.

"The funds raised will help enhance facilities for the most poorly babies, and will enable Mid Cheshire Hospitals to continue to serve our local community, including Holmes Chapel, in the future."

Following the success of the One in Eleven fundraising appeal for the redevelopment of the Neonatal Unit at Leighton Hospital, Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust was able to open its new Unit on September 24, 2014.

All further funds raised will now go toward new equipment and environmental enhancements to the new Unit.