HEARTBROKEN parents of a 10-week-old boy who died have raised £8,575 to help purchase revolutionary equipment for the hospital that cared for him.

Jemma and Simon Phelps's son Joshua was cared for in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Birmingham Women’s Hospital before he died last March.

The couple decided to take part in the Warwickshire Sprint Triathlon in his memory, and were able to put the money to good use after partnering with Catshill charity Libby Mae's Little Angels.

Mr and Mrs Phelps, from Solihull, said: "When we lost Joshua, we were so heartbroken but determined to celebrate the time we did share with him and also keen to have something positive come out of such a terrible experience.

"We'd already committed to the triathlon before we'd heard about Libby Mae's Little Angels, but one of the nurses that looked after Joshua mentioned about the incredible work that they do to support the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Birmingham Women’s Hospital where Joshua spend the majority of his 10 weeks of life.

"Charlotte and Rich at Libby Mae's Little Angels explained that with their help we would be able to use our fundraising to buy essential medical equipment to help care for babies born prematurely or sick like Joshua and Libby Mae, so we were keen to support them in any way we could."

Various discussion were held between the charity, Joshua's parents and Birmingham Women's Hospital as to what equipment should be purchased, before deciding on an Infant Video Larygoscope.

The device costs £16,000 and helps neonatal staff safely introduce breathing apparatus to tiny babies.

Charlotte from Libby Mae’s Little Angels said: "Helping towards the purchase of such an amazing piece of equipment fills us with pride and also gives us comfort as, as with Joshua, it is a piece of equipment that Libby Mae would have benefitted from."

Dr Matt Nash from Birmingham Women's Hospital said: "I am very excited to have this equipment, and it will positively impact patient care and potential save lives."