Neil's twin daughters spent 12 weeks in Lynn's Neonatal Intensive Care Baby Unit for ill and premature babies after being born 11 weeks early in September.

Self-employed gardener and handyman Neil (33), of The Ridings, Fakenham, is a keen walker, but has never taken on a challenge as big as the three peaks, involving scaling the UK's three highest mountains within 24 hours.

He and brother Ian, also of Fakenham, are collecting sponsorship for our appeal, which will help the hospital revamp and expand the neonatal unit, as they prepare to take on the challenge with two friends in July.

Neil's wife Claire (30) said: "You don't realise how much the money can do for the place until you are in that situation.

"We never thought we would be in that position, but if it were not for that unit the girls would probably not be here."

Payroll manager at Jack Richards haulage, Fakenham, Claire had another month left at work before her maternity leave was due to start when she suddenly went into labour at 9pm one Sunday night. Just after midnight her twin daughters had been delivered by emergency caesarean, Lily weighing 2lb 8oz and Imogen, 2lb 10oz.

The girls needed the highest level of care the unit offers to begin with and flitted between there and the less intensive care areas before finally being ready to come home.

When they were strong enough Claire spent a week at the hospital learning how to cope with the little twins, with the ever supportive nurses and doctors a stone's throw away.

It was December and Claire was able to stay on the unit in the parents' overnight room for five nights, but had to spend two nights on another ward because demand for the one room was so high.

Our appeal will provide a much-needed second overnight room on the unit as well as creating space for more babies to be cared for at the unit, upgraded security, a total revamp and a private area for nurses to prepare medication.

Claire said: "A second overnight room would be fantastic because it would get the babies home quicker.

"There was definitely a bottle-neck towards the end for us and people were staying all over the place as the nurses tried really hard to get everyone home for Christmas."

• Dersingham Carpet Bowls Association has added its support to the appeal

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The association nominated the appeal and World Horse Welfare, formerly the International League for the Protection of Horses (ILPH) in Snetterton, to benefit from funds raised at its forthcoming charity competition day.

The association will be hosting the competition and raffle at Searles, Hunstanton, on Saturday, June 14.