EIGHTEEN years after she lost her treasured twin boys, one mum has raised nearly �3,000 in their memory for Ipswich Hospital’s neo-natal unit.

Joshua and Jordan Bardsley were born 13 weeks premature in March 1994.

Too tiny to survive, Jordan died after suffering a brain and lung hemorrhage at two days old while his brother Joshua survived until 17 days old, dying after suffering a hole in his bowel.

As what would have been her sons’ 18th birthday approached, mum Claire Bardsley, who lives near Mendlesham, said she felt she had to do something special to mark the day.

“We thought it would be really nice to do something to mark their birthday,” she said. “There are two things I have always wanted to do, the London Marathon and a sky dive.

“I applied for the marathon but didn’t get a place and so as soon as I found out I booked a sky dive.”

As well as jumping from a plane above Beccles, Mrs Bardsley and a group of friends took on a ten-mile run to raise �2,950 for Framlingham Ward at Ipswich Hospital – the special care baby unit.

“Nobody tells you how to deal with things like this in life,” the 36-year-old added. “It is difficult to know how to cope but you do as best you can.

“The unit at Ipswich Hospital really helped me. This money could now help other babies live and mean other families do not have to face what I had to.

“I want to thank everyone who sponsored us and all my friends who took part in the run – this is a lovely legacy for my boys.”