A new born baby kept in an induced coma for the first three weeks of his life is alive today thanks to the efforts of the St Helier neo-natal unit, his family has said.

To show their thanks, his parents will take on a series of fund-raising challenges to support the NHS trust.

Louie Luke Garbutt was born on April 30 this year after a normal full-term pregnancy.

However complications during his birth, where he became distressed and his lungs stopped working, lead to doctors performing an emergency caesarian.

His father Luke Garbutt, 27, of Ash Close, Banstead, said: "He wasn't breathing.

"They had to put him on a resuscitator.

"For the first 45 minutes we didn't know if he was alive.

"His lungs weren't working and he wasn't being supplied with oxygen.

"He was kept in an induced coma for the first three weeks of his life.

"The neo-natal unit in St Helier Hospital were fantastic.

"We owe our son's life to them.

"As a small token I just want to raise money for them."

After Louie was discharged from hospital, his parents Luke and mother Kyleigh Hayden, 27, decided to take on a series of challenges and fundraisers to help out the hospital.

Mr Garbutt plans on raising as much as possible between now and his son's first birthday with the intention of presenting the hospital a cheque on the day Louie turns one.

Kyleigh is walking 13 miles on Saturday October 18 in the Twilight event.

Mr Garbutt said: "Being with Louie is wonderful. You can't even put it into words. I'm a big old softie and without St Helier's natal unit he just wouldn't be here today.

"Those first few hours, days and weeks were horrendous. Again I couldn't even describe it. My other half couldn't see him until he was a day old and we didn't even know if he was alive for the first 45 minutes.

"I was in bits, trying to hold it together. My other half was fantastic. She was amazing. I was in bits and she was so strong, although I'm sure she was just the same as me on the inside.

"I ran the Reigate half marathon last week and this Sunday I will be cycling 70 miles around Boxhill.

"I just want to smash out as many events as I can and have told my friends that if they have any items they are taking to charity that I will car boot it to raise more funds for St Helier."

To support Mr Garbutt visit uk.virginmoneygiving.com/lukegarbutt.