A BOY born more than ten weeks premature has completed a mini tough mudder challenge to raise nearly £900 for the baby unit that helped save his life.

Toby Burgess, an eight-year-old pupil at Stocks Lane Primary School in Clayton, completed the mile-long assault course at Broughton Hall in Skipton in aid of the Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU) at Calderdale Royal Hospital.

After being born ten-and-a-half weeks early in September 2006 - weighing just 2lbs 15oz - Toby spent the first seven weeks of his life on the unit, where his mother, Lisa Burgess, said the family received "amazing" support.

Describing the build-up to her son's birth, she said: "I was feeling ill at work and went to hospital to get checked out.

"If I'd gone any later, we both could have died. It was totally unexpected.

"They said the first 24 hours was crucial for Toby, but he was actually a really strong baby, and luckily he is here to tell the tale.

"We always said because the unit was so good to us, we would do something for them one day.

"We have always told Toby where he came from, and without the unit, he wouldn't be here.

"The SCBU has been an amazing place for our family."

After seeing the mini mudder event advertised online, Mrs Burgess and her husband, Mark, mentioned it to their son, who asked if he could take part dressed as super-hero Captain Underpants and raise money for the SCBU.

Mrs Burgess set up a Just Giving page for him, with an initial target of £200, which was smashed in just two days.

The total currently stands at £894, including a £120 donation from customers at The Upper George pub in Wibsey.

Mrs Burgess, 42, who works as a healthcare assistant at Bradford Royal Infirmary, said: "He is a really active kid, being outdoors is the be all and end all for him.

"I mentioned the mini mudder as I thought it might be fun for him, and straightaway he asked whether he could raise money for the SCBU.

"We thought it would just be donations from family, but it just escalated.

"I'm chuffed to bits that it was his own idea, and I can't get over how well he has done.

"He absolutely knew why he was doing it, and was determined not to back out and let people down.

"We're extremely proud of him."

Janet James, sister at the SCBU, said: "This was a tremendous effort by little Toby and we are very grateful.

"All the team on the unit wised Captain Underpants all the very best, and thanks also go to his family and friends who supported him to such a great achievement."

Visit www.justgiving.com/tobyburgess8 to donate.